Reusable lunch gear

Sending lunch to school can be a less expensive, and often healthier, alternative to cafeteria fare. Yes, it takes effort. But it’s worth it to know not only what your child is eating, but also how much. Plus, in a hurried lunch period, avoiding the cafeteria line can even mean more time to eat!

If you’re ready to take lunch packing a step further this year, commit to making them waste-free! Start with a high quality lunch box, and choose the right containers for the job. Here are some of our best tips to get started:

Get kids involved

Sit down with your kids and make a list of what they’d like to eat. This handy planner makes it simple, and assures a balanced meal. Take them shopping for new ideas, maybe even give them a small allowance to make some of their own choices. See if you can get them to play a role in lunch prep - like washing fruit or filling a bento box.

Plan ahead

Stock up on the items your kids like most, so you always have healthy options on hand. Take some time the night before or on weekends to prep for the day or week ahead. Plan some dinners to have leftovers that can work for lunches too. Maybe even wake the kids up 15 minutes earlier to help out!

Have the right gear on hand

Reusable snack and sandwich bags replace disposable plastic bags. Leakproof containers are a must for things like yogurt and applesauce. For hot dishes like soup or pasta, choose an insulated container. See our full selection of reusable gear here.

Go easy on yourself

If packing waste-free lunches is new to you, it may take a little experimenting to get it down. So start with the basics and don’t worry about making every lunch pinterest perfect!