Are your kids (and yourself) starting to get into the swing of school again? There will be buses to catch, homework to complete, and lunches to pack. And while sandwiches are okay for lunch, they can get a little repetitive day after day. Spice up your child’s lunch box with these meals that are fun and nutritious!

Tips on Packing School Lunches:

-Use a thermos to pack soups or other things that need to be kept warm. The food will still be warm when lunchtime hits.
-Always include a protein (meat, yogurt, etc.), whole grain (like a whole wheat tortilla), fruit, and lots of veggies.
-Pack meals the night before so mornings are easier.
-Include a gel pack to keep cold food cold (or make your own: freeze a wet sponge and wrap it in a Ziploc bag).
-Make sure to check with the school to see if they have a nut-free policy.
-Let kids help with the preparation. It will give them ownership and, perhaps, help them gobble up all that nutrition.

The prices listed are based on an average price of what’s on sale this week at various stores and are subject to change weekly.

Meatloaf Meatballs – recipe

onion – 99¢ lb
bell pepper – 69¢ ea.
ground turkey – $3.99 lb

Scrambled Egg Burritos – recipe

eggs – $1.79 dozen
shredded cheese – $2
tortillas – $1.64
tomatoes – $1.79 lb

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sushi Rolls – recipe

peanut butter – $1.50
jelly – $1.24
bread – $1.94

Southwestern Chicken Pasta Salad – recipe

pasta – 24¢
chicken – $2.49 lb
shredded cheese – $2
bell pepper – 69¢

Easy Granola Bars – recipe

oats – $1.20
almonds – 88¢
honey – $3.50
brown sugar – 69¢

See more menu plans!