The school year is coming to a close, but I didn’t want it to end without sharing one more summary of the school lunches I’ve been packing and posting on my Facebook page this year (almost daily!). And as summer is upon us I want to make it clear that these lunch ideas could go far beyond just the school cafeteria. I find myself packing food for the kids all summer long for outdoor picnics, day camps, long road trips, zoo outings, museum visits, and afternoons at the pool. The plastic divided containers (pictured below) are perfect for all of these occasions and are an especially great way to keep road trip lunches mess-free (and waste-free) since the containers serve as your “plate” once you take off the lid. I hope your summer is full of fun activities and travel plans!
To learn more about the lunches we pack here are some links to get you started…
- Our favorite school lunch supplies including the pictured plastic Ziploc divided containers (each compartment is leak-proof).
- Everything you could ever want to know about those colorful smoothie pop molds.
- The reason we don’t track protein (hint: Have you ever heard of a anyone having a protein deficiency?).
- Our recipe index where you’ll find a lot of the recipes pictured below.
- Readers sometimes ask what these lunches look like after they are tossed all around in the backpack…so check out The Life Cycle of a School Lunch where I share before and after pictures.
- Also be sure to checkout our previous, similar posts: School Lunch Roundup I, School Lunch Roundup II, and School Lunch Roundup III.
School Lunch Roundup Photos
Bonus
When we recently went camping I used our divided lunch tray as a way to pack appetizers for all the campers! It worked out perfectly.
What are your favorite packed lunch combinations? Please share in the comments.
Loved your lunch ideas and I really appreciate the point that you openly tell as brands and stores :) Thank you so much!!!
How do you pack hot and cold foods together in the same lunch? For example, the tomato bisque and cheesestick and muffin. Where do you put the ice pack for the cheese stick without making the soup cold?
Thanks.
Hi Jen. The ice pack goes under or around the portion you want to keep cold. Also, the contents of the thermos should not be affected much from an ice pack. I typically further separate the thermos and cold items with a cloth napkin. :)
Hello! My hubby just got a new job that requires him being on the road for lunch. These meals look awesome! They are perfect. So many healthy varieties… Thank you so much for sharing!!! <3
Hello! I recently read in a a publication from Healthy Green Schools that Baby Bel cheese contains GMO RBGH. Do you know if this is still true? The booklet also said Pirate’s Booty is GMO but their website indicates they now offer some non-GMO products. I can’t find anything with an update on Baby Bel. Thank you in advance for any info you have!
Hi Sallie. Not sure but this is the site I find most helpful: http://www.nongmoproject.org/. :)
You know, this is downright the most useful thing on the internet this month. Thanks for keeping up the effort for us.
Thanks for the fantastic insight. I’m left in charge of packing my son’s lunch and although I’m pretty creative I do appreciate the pictures and information you’ve shared. It certainly will e useful as I plan out a new school year.
Happy eating and thanks again.
Doug
Someday I hope my kiddos eat as well as yours. It’s a process. Thanks for the inspiration! I shared a link to this post on my site today: http://www.healthhappensathome.com/blog/2016/6/14/healthy-living-motivation
Where do you get those cool tubes for the smoothies?
Hello. You can find the link as well as instructions for use in this post: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/03/19/real-food-tips-4-hints-for-using-freezie-pop-molds/.