Schools can provide affordable lunch options, but some family members choose to pack lunches from home for school and work. Packing lunches from home can keep the cost down and can be healthier and add more nutrients.

Here are some ways:

• Reusable containers use – instead of using paper bags, disposable forks and spoons and
     sandwich bags is wasting money every day. Purchasing durable food containers with
     tight-fitting lids in several sizes can save money and help the environment.
• Avoid single serving packages – buying large containers of lunch box meals and beverages
    save money but also provides more food and more nutrients in the meal. By using reusable
    containers, pack portion size of fruits, vegetable, yogurt and other fruits and vegetables of
    your choice into the reusable containers. You can buy a block of cheese and cut into cubes
    and pack for lunch as a snack for yourself or your child, which is better than purchasing
    cheese sticks or other processed cheese snacks.
• Prepare, bake and cook ahead of time – on weekends, prepare servings of foods for two or
     three days, such as chopped vegetables, pasta salads, soups, casseroles, spaghetti, stews, 
     gumbo and other healthy meals. In addition, bake healthy breads, muffins, cookies and even
     brownies using whole wheat flour, oats and fresh fruits and vegetables.
• · Plan menus ahead – plan meals for a week and make sure you have enough ingredients for
     two meals. Pack the lunches the night before to avoid rushing in the morning and forgetting
     part of the lunch. Make packing lunches a family fun event. Invite your children to help pack
     their lunch so that they will be excited to enjoy what they have packed for themselves to eat.

Resources: USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
                     K-State Research & Extension