Update April 2017 - The Ziploc lunch containers are back! Grab them here - Ziploc Divided Lunch Containers
I'm sad to report that what you've heard is true ...the divided Ziploc lunch containers have been discontinued! :( These are our favorite lunch boxes because they're super easy to use (with only one lid to open), lightweight, inexpensive, hold the right amount of food, and most importantly, are leakproof. And these are even the containers we used for all the school lunch pictures in my new cookbook!
But enough about the containers you can no longer buy (so sorry!). Let's instead talk about the two most comparable alternatives I've found. I did some testing this week that felt pretty darn risky. But the results ended up being better than I expected, so let's get down to it!
Option 1: EasyLunchboxes
Pros: Same size as Ziploc, lightweight, inexpensive, and come with colorful easy-to-open single lids.
Cons: NOT Leakproof! And a special carrying case is recommended to keep the lunch box level throughout the day (something that is just not gonna happen at our house).
Okay, so let's tackle this non-leakproof issue - my biggest qualm with the EasyLunchboxes. I'd read that you can put a piece of plastic wrap over the compartment(s) you'd like to keep leakproof to prevent any issues. But I also read you'd still need to keep the lunch box horizontal in the special carrying case. I personally feel this is an unrealistic expectation for my active elementary-aged children - with big consequences in the form of liquid spilling out of their lunch bags. Not to mention we already have (embroidered) lunch bags we love that so nicely clip (vertically) to their matching backpacks.
So, I went out on a limb this week and tested the plastic wrap suggestion in an EasyLunchbox that was definitely not kept horizontal! I decided to have lunch with my daughter at school because I was so nervous this trick would not work and there'd be yogurt all over the place. But what do you know ...it worked just fine! It was most certainly an extra step (well, 2 steps actually) to put the plastic wrap over the yogurt and the juicy watermelon compartments AND to put a rubberband around the whole thing just to be extra sure we didn't have any issues. But with limited lunch box options this is what works!
The biggest issue I found was that the plastic wrap was fairly messy and not easy to put back on. It had also ripped a little from where the lid pushed down onto it. So if your child doesn't eat all their yogurt or other liquidy food you'll want to instruct them to somehow put the plastic wrap back on to transport it home mess-free (or provide an extra clean piece of wrap). Also, I did test the plastic wrap trick with water in the box (at home) and that did not work, so I wouldn't recommend putting anything too watery in there. Also I am not saying this tactic will always work 100% of the time, but it worked just fine for us this week.
Option 2: Yumbox Panino
Pros: Leakproof! One easy-to-open single lid plus it's relatively the same size with a similar configuration as Ziploc. There are also colorful and fun little labels in the food compartments, which make them pretty kid-friendly.
Cons: Slightly heavier and more expensive.
Let me start by saying my daughters love using both our Yumboxes (we have the Original and the Panino versions). And they're a sure thing when it comes to the leakproof concern. So if you can spring the extra money and don't want to mess with plastic wrap and rubberbands this is the route I'd personally recommend going. I should also mention we have a standing coupon code with them if you're interested in giving it a go: use "SWEET15" for 15% off.
Note: The jumbo muffin cup I used above would not fit in the Yumbox so the standard size is pictured below.
So those are the most comparable alternatives I could come up with friends - I hope that helps! Ziploc is not telling us why they discontinued our favorite boxes or if any similar replacements are to come so unfortunately that's all I can share for now.
What's your favorite lunch box and why? Please share with us in the comments!
Sherri says
I have been using the easy lunch boxes for about four years. I don't put yogurt in them and haven't had a problem with them. I just put yogurt in a plastic "ball" jar with a screw lid. it does not leak... I have a question about the ziplok ones... Are folks throwing them away? I get that people may want to go out and buy them if they don't have them yet, but I hope they are not becoming trash!
dina speirs says
I just called Zip Lock and complained about these containers being discontinued. They documented the call and hopefully they will bring them back if a lot of people complain, the rep was even sad about it. What a shame. :o( number is 800-494-4855
Kristi says
Letter campaign to Ziploc? :)
AmyU says
Yessss!
Gina says
I have used Easy Lunchboxes for several years, with my active son who tosses his lunch box around and most certainly does not keep it level. I've found that wax paper over a "wet food" compartment works better than plastic wrap, and it's much easier for him to put back on the compartment if he doesn't finish the food.
Christina says
Love the sistema lunch containers. They have all different kinds. A salad version with a little cup for dressing all the way down to a version that you can make your own healthy lunch able. They are also BPA free. I have found them at Container Store, Old Navy, and recently a few at Harris teeter.
Pinchy5 says
We use both the yumbox and the Planetbox and love them both!
Carolyn Guercio-Wisler says
http://www.casa.com/p/smart-planet-ec-34-large-3-compartment-eco-silicone-collapsible-lunch-box-orange-592391?site=CA&sku=FPS-85643&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_C&utm_campaign=GooglePLA&utm_content=pla&ca_sku=FPS-85643&ca_gpa=pla&ca_kw=&CAWELAID=1506797327&kpid=FPS-85643
I got this product at Marshall's for under $10 - it is a bento box style, collapsible, holds a fork, silicone - works great. We also use a thermos most days and I would not use this on the same day. I have individual bento boxes and also use Ball brand canning freezer plastic jars as they are great size and shape. Not the intended use, but they work! I try not to use any plastic wrap or ziploc's but sometimes we have to. I also have some reusable fabric on the outside, waterproof on the inside handmade bags. They are sold at most natural food stores and are also at Marshall's/TJMaxx.
Lisa M says
We use Goodbyn bynto lunch boxes. It's 3 leakproof compartments and the same size as the ziplock ones.
Sherri says
I have been using the Ziploc for years ever since following your site. I am sad about being discontinued. I love them, but I just ordered the YUMBOX with your coupon, so thank you :)
Janel says
I just grabbed a bundle of the discontinued sip lock containers from Target! Grab some before they goooooooo......
Cindi H says
I got this as a Groupon. Looks like a good substitute!
Sistema 5-Piece Split Food-Container Set
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-sistema-5-piece-split-food-container-set-0?p=15&utm_source=channel_occasions_Merchandising-deals&utm_medium=email&sid=e7541cea-c548-4fa4-a27f-893944f5d1e9&division=raleigh-durham&user=d0412edc162f18ff92d7c031004e4cb708d3ef94353b5c40d0be2d1b40cf3bc9&date=20140924&s=body&c=deal_button&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=e7541cea-c548-4fa4-a27f-893944f5d1e9
Katie B. says
We love Sistema! I am asking for more for Christmas! How sad is that!? :)
Nicole Jacobson says
We do a lot of soup and pasta in a thermos so it stays hot; nearly everyday. All the above are not idea for that. We also do homemade chiken tenders but they prefer them warm so the bento style also doesn't work well for that either. What thermos style brands do you recommend or individual containers? Its too much to send a bento style box and a thermos with my kids so I have a standard lunch bag with various containers in there. I am always cramming them all in though and they are heavy. Thoughts?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Nicole. I use a thermos to send hot items almost every day with individual containers. Lisa sends hot things sometimes, too, with smaller containers. You can see all of Lisa's favorites here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/08/24/my-favorite-school-lunch-supplies/. ~Amy
Jill W. says
I haven't read all the comments yet, but why don't you just use a separate small container for yogurt, so you're not wasting plastic wrap and worrying about leakage?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Jill. Separate containers are a perfectly good solution. ;)
Jennifer says
we love our yumbox. truly leakproof snd fits in standard lunchbox. holds a good
amount of food.
Holly says
I've packed 120 lunches so far this year. I've already had to throw away 4 busted containers - guess my kids might use their lunch bags as punchbags! That's the con to those, due to the pro of them being lightweight. I also really don't like the way they have to sit in my dishwasher to get clean - takes lots of room up. Hopefully 100 days decides to produce their own lunch container!!! Now I use diff size ziploc containers, non divided so I use a little tupperware dip container and the silicone popsicle molds, and regular cupcake dividers. Maybe a little more fussy, but gets the job done and keeps their lunch from running together and/or getting smashed. I'm one of those moms that refuse to pay $25 for a container to put inside a $25 bag. Healthy DOES NOT have to break the bank!
Sabrina says
I'm curious if you use these containers as snack and lunch containers or strictly lunch and you use separate containers for their mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks?
Thanks,
Sabrina
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Sabrina. Lisa usually send hot or cold oatmeal in a thermos for snack. These lunch containers are a little big for snack. I have small individual containers for snacks. ~Amy
L says
I'm surprised that you've mentioned a few times that the Ziploc ones are leakproof... They certainly weren't very reliable for me! I had more than a few leaks.
Dori says
That's so strange! I've been using the ziploc containers for 2 years and have never had a leak. My kids lunches sit vertically until they eat. They also take yogurt at least 2-3 times per week, if not every day some weeks. Wonder why you are having issues with them?
Ashleigh says
Please let me know if you come across anything similar to yumbox that ships to Canada. We can't get them 😢
Carol says
Have you tried Laptop lunches? I thought I saw one of their containers on your lunch box ideas! They are super!!! For me better than the options you listed as there can be different configurations!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Carol. Laptop lunches are another good option. :)
Courtney says
I bought the Goodbyn Hero for my daughter and it's been great! It was reasonably priced around $15. It also comes with 2 small snack containers. You can buy a Goodbyn bag to put it in because it's a bit big, but my daughter has a 31 thermal she uses and it fits fine. We even have room for her water bottle.
Meredith says
Goodbyn webpage says not leakproof, do you find that they are? Not anything overly wet, but juice fruit, yogurt, etc..do the other compartments stay dry and does the overall container leak when stored upright?
Courtney says
I haven't packed anything other than yogurt and applesauce in the container. I apologize for not being clear. My opinion of the Goodbyn is based on my daughter's. If I have anything that is runny or very wet, I would put it in a thermos. I've also used the Goodbyn small snack containers for yogurt and applesauce and haven't had a problem. Sorry for any confusion!
Karen Reed says
I love this topic! I've been researching and trying the best lunch boxes for my boys over the past couple of years. The verdict is out: the best lunch box is the PlanetBox. They are spendy but worth every penny. I bought the PlantBox from Pottery Barn Kids, used it for one of my sons for year, and loved it so much that wanted to buy another one for my oldest son for this new school year. Much to my dismay, I want to PBK and they did not carry PlanetBox anymore, but have a similar "all-in-one" box they name the Mackenzie. Super excited to try, but sadly, it was not awesome. My son's lunch was getting saggy as the moisture was transferring from compartment to compartment. Major bummer....actually just had to return it today. The PlanetBox is still available on Amazon....and that is my next course of action. In summary, if I had to choose words to describe the PlanetBox it would be: efficient, easy, waste-free, intuitive, beautiful, and it encourages healthy, diverse, lunch packing!
Renee says
I don't see why having a bento box is so necessary. We have insulated thermos bags and use small reusable Tupperware containers. The ziploc boxes are junk and won't last long. Fruits, veggies, snacks, yogurts, dips, etc. can be packed the entire week in advance and will stay fresher than they would in the original containers. The plastic wrap is SO wasteful. How can one care so much about what goes into food but not so much about what goes into the environment?
Lisa says
We love our EasyLunchboxes. If I'm packing something really wet or liquidy, which I don't do very often, then I just use a different container or I us a little dip container inside the easylunchbox. Lots of pics of how I do it on my blog - http://www.whatlisacooks.com. I never worry about keeping them upright in the lunch bag, our lunches get tossed all around and we never have any issues. I love the idea of many of the other boxes out there, but with 4 kids those things get expensive really fast.
Cassie says
http://www.easylunchboxes.com/
This is the same thing, I'm a preschool teacher and tons of my students have these.
Angie B says
I have the divided snack size ones and they have worked great for my girls and don't leak into each compartment. The ziploc ones are by far my favorite as there are 3 compartments. Sad to see them discontinued. http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?Prod_ID=RP092104
Mandy says
We stalked up at Target a little over a month ago. 2pk $2.69 go see if there at a target near you still!
Anitra says
I've been using the Ziploc boxes - just bought a new set of 6(!) on Amazon last month. Hopefully they'll last us a while - I nearly always pack some yogurt or applesauce or moist fruit in one section of the container; and my daughter is generally able to seal it back up again (which does not always happen with smaller individual containers!)
Next year I'll be packing lunches for 2 kids, so I'm sure the Ziploc containers won't last much longer after that... I'll have to go with one of the more expensive options.
Bri says
Try press and seal instead of regular plastic wrap. I haven't done it but heard it works better. Although I do wonder about "chemical" contamination...
Cathy says
We use the Easy Freezer Bento Box. It has a collapsible bottom, a rigid icepack with openings for 3 different little containers (cut veggies, yogurt, fruit etc) There is a "click" lid on top. It's not too expensive, easy to wash, and I like that the ice pack is integral to the entire kit.
Christine says
So sad to report I bought 2 of the ziplock versions a few weeks ago at a Target after reading all the research, and they were cheap... this particular target I don't visit often and they forgot to give me that bag!!! (along with some other cheaper items)
So until I get a refund. I don't have my containers either!!! I'm stick giving him 2 and 3 containers everyday.
I have to do more research on your site. A lot of what I give my son, they heat up or needs heating a bit ( in the micro..yuk)
Any good toddler lunch ideas?
Theresa says
I actually just bought the Ziploc containers on Amazon about a week ago. There may be some sellers that still have a limited quantity left!
Patricia Kellogg says
I'm so upset! These are perfect for school lunch..I just sent them a plea to reinstate the divided lunch container..here is my request.
PLEASE do not discontinue the divided storage containers! I've been looking all over Houston for them only to find out they have been discontinued. These are PERFECT for school lunch. If you haven't eaten lunch at school lately you don't understand just how much we need these containers! Multiple containers that serve the same purpose are just not acceptable. I have 3 kids taking lunch to school every day. With the Ziploc divided containers that's 3 containers in my dishwasher. If you make them separate containers I now have 9 containers and lids to deal with. The divided lunch containers are so much more efficient! Please bring them back (or allow me to buy any leftover stock) . Thank You Patricia Kellogg.
Cathy says
Ebay! I found the ziplock divided containers there. If it exists, you can definitely find it on Ebay. LOL
Allison says
I've been using the Fuel lunchboxes - there are two containers and one of them has three partitions. I have put chai pudding and applesauce in the partitioned container with no leaking!
Jenn says
I have used the gogreen lunch box for two years now for my daughter and son. Although a bit pricy on the front end it has saved a ton over time. It's leakproof and easy to use There is a lot of space and compartments - even holds a drink.
Tara says
I use the Rubbermaid containers too. We like them a lot. Lunchblox, I think.
Regina says
Rubbermaid has the lunchblox which we use-
They are seperate containers that all click onto an ice pack... Leak proof but separate containers for each item...
kathy says
I have a Yumbox, I have not put yogurt in it yet because my daughters lunch box does not stay flat. Was your lunch box flat all day?
Rachel says
I emailed ziploc regarding this and this is there response:
"Thanks so much for your feedback about Ziploc® Containers in divided rectangle size. Comments like your are always welcomed and appreciated. Although we no longer make this particular container, be assured your continued interest in it will be shared with the appropriate folks in our company.
That said, you may be pleased to know the new Ziploc® containers were designed as a set that fits together for easy stacking in your fridge and cabinets. The set was created around new container sizes for an even better variety of uses – such as our new small square container which is the perfect size for packing sandwiches to go."
Doesn't sound like something similar is coming but keep contacting them and maybe they'll bring them back.
https://www.econsumeraffairs.com/scj/ContactUs.htm
Holly W. says
Thank you Rachel for providing the link. I too have just emailed them my concern as well. With as many followers as are on here - I'd love to see everyone let Ziploc know how much we loved their product for allowing us to pack healthy lunches for our kiddos at a great price (who cares if one accidentally gets thrown away). :)
Holly
Portland, OR
January says
I've been using a type of box that is just like the ziploc box and is also leakproof. It is called EZ lock I got them on amazon over a year ago. I'm pretty sure I paid about 13 bucks for 6.