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Parent’s Corner Packing Lunch
Lunch Ideas
Field-trip and everyday lunches that need no fridge, no microwave and nothing to carry home — plus the food-safety rules behind them.
A word about bacteria
- Bacteria grows most rapidly between the temperatures of 40–140 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Potentially hazardous foods (high in protein and moisture content) should not be left out for more than 2 hours.
- It is better to pack a cold lunch as bacteria grows more slowly at colder temperatures.
- Yogurt is safe at room temperature for several hours because of the helpful living bacteria cultures that exist in yogurt.
- Hard cheeses are safe to eat at room temperature (cheddar, asiago, parmesan, colby, provolone, gruyere and swiss).
Four Simple Tricks
Ways to keep lunch cold and completely disposable
Freeze the yogurt
Freeze yogurt and let it thaw during the morning.
Freeze the fruit
Freeze grapes, raisins or cherries.
Freeze the drink
Freeze a small bottle of water or juice box that can be disposed of after consumption.
Freeze the protein
A chicken sandwich can be put in the freezer, with the condiments and lettuce/tomato to be added later stored in the fridge — or freeze chicken nuggets or other meat which will be thawed in time for lunch.
What To Pack
Lunch ideas by category
| Category | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Fresh / whole fruits and veggies | Sugar snap peas, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, olives, carrots, cherry/grape tomatoes, celery, peppers, cucumbers, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, bananas, apples, apricots, pears |
| Cut fruit | Cut-fruit |
| Dried & freeze-dried fruit | Dried mango, strawberries, apples, bananas, pineapple, apricots, raisins, Craisins |
| Applesauce | Applesauce |
| Dried meat | Pepperoni, salami, jerky |
| Canned foods | Fruits, veggies, tuna, chicken |
| Cheese | Put in sack frozen and let thaw during the morning |
| Grains | Crackers (triscuits, wheat thins, pita chips, sweet potato chips, rice cakes, graham crackers, granola bar); bread (sliced, french bread, roll); tortilla; pretzels; cereals (non sugar) |
| Dips / spreads | Sunbutter, ranch dressing, hummus, guacamole |
| Noodles / pasta / grains | Sesame, spaghetti, macaroni, quinoa, soba, rice |
| Protein | Cold beans/chickpeas, tofu, hard-boiled eggs, protein bar |
Going Further
More ideas
- Onigiri rice balls with salmon & marinated white beans
- Sunbutter & banana pinwheels
- Lentil salad
- Ham & cheddar muffin (store in freezer at home and put in sack to thaw to room temp by lunch)
- Scrambled chickpea pita sandwich
- Leftover cold pizza
- Mini broccoli or ham quiche
Twelve Places To Look
Recipes and round-ups
Allergies & Questions
Something to tell us about your child’s lunch?
Let the office know about allergies, dietary needs or a field-trip question. We are open Monday to Friday, 7:30 am–6:00 pm on 770-552-0834.