I am in mourning. It appears, my worst fears have been confirmed. I have officially witnessed, the death of the traditional school lunch. A peanut butter sandwich, wrapped in cling wrap complimented with a packet of chips and a popper full of juice. It was not a quick death but more a drawn out process of policies and protocols resulting in a gradual alienation of the old favourites. I am not sure where it started. For the past few years, as a teacher, we have encouraged healthy lunches. So I guess the "saturated fat in a bag" chips were the first to make their departure. Then it was the allergies. We became a "nut free" school. At first this seemed like an impossible idea. But now the reality is that 90% of childcare/kindergarten/schools are nut free. So say goodbye to Peanut Butter (and nuttella, meusli bars and even tiny teddies!). Now as our planet suffocates under a sea of discarded cling wrap and plastic straws even the humble cling wrapped sandwich has seen its last days. "Rubbish or Litter Free" lunch boxes are now the norm.
I have watched as this has happened, as a teacher, and been baffled by the ability of parents to continue to produce wonderful lunches under such limitations. But now it's my turn and I am desperatley seeking a life raft! Reading Master O's Kindy Handbook (again) I am pondering what on earth I am going to pack him for lunch. It must be
"a healthy lunchbox"
"no youghrt, meusli bars, sweet biscuits, cakes, sweets"
"no packaged drinks"
"no peanut butter, nutella, mixed nuts, foods containing peanut oil"
and due to sustainable practices
"no packaging"!!!
So it is time for me to "keep calm and carry on" bury my old ideas and resurrect a new style of lunch.
Of course armed with a cyberspace of information this process was not as hard as I initially thought.
I started with a lunchbox, that would allow me to pack a "litter-free" lunch.
The best options I found are "Bento Style" lunch boxes. A plastic lunch box that usually has three compartments inside. As I am not the first Mother on this quest the suppliers were plenty.
Tupperware. www.tupperware.com.au
The Sandwich Keeper Plus (5). Retails for $28.95.
Has a large compartment for a sandwich and two smaller compartments. Dishwasher Safe. Life time Guarantee
Nude Food Movers. www.nudefoodmovers.com
Lunchbox, with cool skin and Bottle Pack. $27.26
Large 3 Compartment Lunch box with 2 extra round containers.
Goodbyn lunch box. $45.
Many compartments, including a space for a drink bottle. Dishwasher Safe. BPA Free, even comes with stickers to decorate/personalise the drink bottle.
Compartmentalized Lunch Boxes
EasyLunch Boxes.comThese Bento style lunch boxes retail for a pack of 4 for $13.95.
Dishwasher safe. Add International Postage to cost of about $16.
Check out her blog! I just love the lunch box ideas and photo gallery!
Now for what to put in them! Once again a simple google of lunch box ideas gave me more ideas than I could imagine including photos!
My favourite is definitely
But also check out
Lastly for fun check out these creative Mum's lunchboxes!!!
I am now truly motivated to make some "nut, packaging, sugar free" creative lunches that will leave that peanut butter sandwich for dead!
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