Tips to save money on school lunches

As practically any parent can attest, preparing school lunches that your child will find tasty and have a reasonable chance of eating can be challenging (understatement of the year). It’s a problem often exacerbated when working with a limited budget – or, at the absolute least, trying not to waste money on food your child will toss in the bin during school break.

Here are a few ways to prep lunches and snack options that won’t break the bank.

Purchase in bulk

Regarding non-perishable foods, such as dry snacks, shopping in bulk can save you a lot of money.

Send leftovers

A sarmie and an apple will simply not suffice for some children. If this describes your brood, send leftovers from home-cooked meals to save money on high-end meal prep. Every night after dinner, pack your children’s lunches.

As you clean up from supper, consider what leftovers you have that could be good for the kids’ lunches the next day.

Cook in bulk and freeze

In addition to the leftovers hack, batch cooking and freezing meals can help you save money on school lunches.

Purchase reusable meal containers

Get rid of your single-use plastic baggies. Instead, buy reusable meal containers. This will save you money while also reducing environmentally hazardous plastic waste. There are numerous kid-friendly solutions available these days. While these lunch boxes cost an initial investment, they will save you money in the long run.

Make your own juice boxes

Juice boxes for school lunches are another expense that can be easily avoided with some forethought. To begin, get a reusable water bottle.

Then, purchase several containers of flavoured juice powders. Fill the reusable product halfway with powder and water. Viola! You have a cheap handmade ‘juice box.’

Want to save even more money? Instead of the powder, use natural flavour enhancers like lemon, strawberry, cucumber, or whatever else your kids enjoy.

Make your own healthy snack combinations.

Rather than relying on processed snacks, make your own healthier snack mixes, which can also be much cheaper.

Toss together hazelnuts or macadamia nuts and cacao nibs, which are rich in brain-boosting cocoa flavanols without additional sweets, to make a simple nut and cacao nib combination.

When there are deals, stock up on

Some of the few vegetables that some (fussier) kids will eat are carrots and celery sticks. These meals can provide significant health benefits when combined with a natural nut and seed butter.

Nuts and seeds provide short-chain Omega-3 fats that are beneficial to brain development and are a less sugary but delicious ‘treat.’ “. Buy fresh carrots or celery on sale and cut up a batch of family-friendly sticks to store in the fridge for school lunches to save money.

Plan your meals with your children

Regarding food shopping, purchasing, and meal planning, it can be easier for a parent to make executive decisions on their own. However, involving your children in the process can be beneficial.

You can save money by involving your children in lunchtime planning. Remember, it does not have to be the entire meal. You might choose the main things but let them choose their own fruit or snack. This helps children gain culinary confidence and enhances the likelihood that they will eat what is packed, resulting in less food and, eventually, less money wasted.