Do your kids buy lunch or participate in the meal assistance program, or do you pack them a lunch? Either way, here are some things to chew on as your kids prepare to go back to school.
While kids may love eating their school lunch (or hate it), there is growing concern about the quality of the lunches provided by schools. Slow Food Los Angeles and Whole Foods Market have partnered in lobbying for reforming the Child Nutrition Act to provide more money in the National Lunch Program, establish more stringent standards on the foods provided by the program, and provide funding for the Farm to School Program.
Slow Food Los Angeles will be hosting several SoCal eat-ins this Labor Day to learn more about their initiative.
If you pack your child's lunch, and your child is already starting to groan at the idea of eating one more PB&J sandwich, here are some alternatives:
- In lieu of the jam/jelly, try bananas or honey, both healthier options.
- Create your own lunchables with large whole wheat crackers, lean meat (either deli-prepared, or left-overs), cheese and a small re-usable container of their favorite sandwich spreads. Finish it off with grapes or apples and peanut butter.
- Try a wrap or pita bread instead of regular sandwich bread.
- Invest in a re-usable lunch box. The Laptop Lunchbox comes with a book filled with menu ideas, and they also update their blog regularly with recipes and suggestions.
- Once you've purchased re-usable containers, you can save money by purchasing the larger bulk jars of applesauce and yogurt instead of the more expensive single-serves.
- Hard-boil eggs over the weekend, and add one to their lunchbox.
- Instead of potato chips, pack vegetable chips or apple chips (look in your regular grocery store's organic section).
- Other family favorites include fig newtons, banana chips, flavored mini rice cakes, dried apricots, and graham crackers to satisfy their sweet tooth.
- Avoid the juice boxes altogether, and opt for refillable water bottles.
- Avoid sending the same thing two days in a row. You can also give yourself a break by letting them buy lunch once a week.
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