Every Day is a Food Holiday

by Susan on 05/01/09 at 8:14 am

It's BBQ Month, so spark it up baby

Happy May!

This is one of the loveliest months of the year, as we look forward to outdoor barbecues, picnics and casual get-togethers with family and friends.  With Memorial Day just a few weeks off, supermarket sales are already in progress, hawking hot dogs and hamburgers.  But why wait for Memorial Day to have some fun when there are at least 31 other food-specific holidays awaiting your creative culinary skills?

April showers bring May flowers, but May also brings a multitude of food holidays, celebrations and commemorations.  So if you’re looking for reasons (or an excuse) to schedule a get-together – either this weekend or anytime this month – feel free to pluck one of these choices off the list and invite your friends over for some tempting treats.

Pick one of these and celebrate all month long.  May is:

National Barbecue Month
National Asparagus Month
National Gazpacho Aficionado Month
National Chocolate Custard Month
National Egg Month
National Hamburger Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
National Strawberry Month

There are also two special weeks in May for celebrating:

May 1-7  – National Raisin Week
May 3-9  – National Herb Week

You can find a food-related reason to celebrate every day in May:

May 1 –   National Chocolate Parfait Day
May 2 -   National Truffles Day
May 3 -   National Raspberry Tart Day
May 4 -   National Orange Juice Day
May 5 -   National Chocolate Custard Day and Cinco de Mayo
May 6 -   National Crepes Suzette Day and National No Diet Day
May 7 -   National Roast Leg of Lamb Day
May 8 -   National Coconut Cream Pie Day and National Have a Coke Day
May 9 -   National Butterscotch Brownie Day
May 10 – National Shrimp Day
May 11 – National Mocha Torte Day and National Eat What You Want Day
May 12 – National Nutty Fudge Day
May 13 – National Apple Pie Day and National Fruit Cocktail Day
May 14 – National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
May 15 – National Chocolate Chip Day
May 16 – National Coquilles St. Jacques Day
May 17 – National Cherry Cobbler Day
May 18 РNational Cheese Souffl̩ Day
May 19 – National Devil’s Food Cake Day
May 20 – National Quiche Lorraine Day
May 21 – National Strawberries & Cream Day
May 22 – National Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23 – National Taffy Day
May 24 – National Escargot Day
May 25 – National Wine Day
May 26 – National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
May 27 – National Grape Popsicle Day
May 28 – National Hamburger Day and National Brisket Day
May 29 – National Coq Au Vin Day
May 30 – National Mint Julep Day
May 31 – National Macaroon Day

The question remains, however, is how all of these food products ended up being recognized on specific days during the year.  The short answer is that petitions are introduced by constituents, trade associations or public relations firms, to honor industries, events, professions and hobbies. The U.S. Senate issues commemorative resolutions.  The resolutions don’t have the force of law, but still allow for official promotion activities.

Some state legislatures and governors also proclaim special observance days, as do mayors of cities, which is why there can be a National Chocolate Day and a National Chocolate Month, as well as two National Guacamole Days — authorized at different levels of government. After the observance day has been authorized, it is up to the petitioner to promote it to the public.

So pick a day … any day … and start celebrating!

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To find out about food holidays during the rest of the year, visit State Symbols USA, The National Food Holiday Directory or American Food and Drink Days.

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