This is a big year for me with all three kiddos going to school every day. Woo hoo! However, that means I’m packing three lunches a day for 180 school days a year. Oh my! My children haven’t shown a desire to eat cafeteria food yet, and frankly I prefer knowing and monitoring what they eat. I also like that I can make their lunches completely waste-free.

My venture into waste-free lunches began four years ago when I purchased Laptop Lunches. I have no tie to the company other than being a fan. They are BPA-free, safe in the microwave and dishwasher, and made in the USA. I can attest that they stand up to daily use, as we use them throughout the summer too. Four years and counting. I keep an extra one packed with non-refrigerated snacks in the car at all times. Boy, has that been a lifesaver.

Though my kids are lured by pre-packaged choices, I rarely put anything in their lunch they have to throw away. What’s leftover can be composted when they get home. Drinking water in their stainless steel water bottles cuts out the waste and excess sugar of juice boxes. Another plus is that everything fits nicely in most lunch carriers so that their lunchbox case can match their backpacks. You know that matters.

The individual containers are ideal for kids who “don’t want their food touching.” They can heat up pasta in one container and eat chilled grapes in another. The smallest container with a lid is ideal for ketchup, tomato sauce, or ranch dressing to ensure they eat their veggies. I’ve also used that for M&Ms; visually seeing their dessert as a smaller portion of their lunch helps drill home that message of correct proportions.

Now I understand that trying to come up with lunch ideas they will actually eat can be a frustrating process. I know! My friend Melissa Cox, aka Frugalissa Finds, has some great tips for lunches here and here. My favorite is putting the kids in charge of packing their own boxes the night before. You set the guidelines; they make the choice. I got some great ideas from these visuals of lunch options. I think I’ll try the popcorn, edamame, and cheese cubes tomorrow. Laptop Lunches also come with a book with lots of ideas.

If you are just getting started with packing lunches or snacks this way, there are many products on the market. I’ve had good luck ordering through Reuseit, which has competitive prices, good inventory, and a commitment to donating 1% of sales to green non-profits. There’s also a nice video on their home page showcasing reusable products for adult lunches. My hubby packs his lunch everyday too.

So what are your favorite products for a waste-free lunch? What healthy foods are you able to sneak into your child’s lunchbox? Please share!

~Margaret, Blue Frog Creations

Margaret blogs about a Green Triangle Philosophy: Go Green, Save Green, and Give Green. Learn more at http://bluefrogcreations.blogspot.com/