Packaging
The first step in packing a frugal school lunch for your child is the packaging choice. Disposable packaging is not only bad for the environment, but more expensive in the long run. Purchase a canvas or quilted lunch sack for the frugal school lunch. You can even make one out of an old paid of jeans or a jacket if you have skills in sewing.
The lunch bag itself is not the only packaging that can help make for a frugal school lunch. Instead of purchasing pricey, throw-away plastic bags, consider using reusable bags or plastic tubs for the parts of the meal. These can be purchased or recycled from food products such as yogurt and butter. Decorate the outsides of the tubs so your child is not embarrassed by eating out of a butter tub.
Food Choices
Every school has water fountains accessible to children. If you live a frugal lifestyle, your child will be well used to drinking healthy water. If you wish to send milk or juice, get a reusable plastic or glass bottle for your child.
Frugal food choices are also important when packing a school lunch. The most expensive choices are prepackaged fun kids lunches that come in a little plastic trays. Any packaged food is both more expensive and less healthy.
Instead, choose a piece of fresh fruit, or a small tub full of cut up vegetables. Frugal eating is often healthy eating. A sandwich is pretty standard school lunch fair, but you can also pack leftovers from dinner the night before. Of course, your kid will not be able to heat these up, so make sure they are okay to eat cold. Instead of a handy personal sized packet of chips or cookies, put some homemade cookies or biscuits in the frugal school lucnh.
There are many ways to make a homemade school lunch more budget friendly. Frugal school lunches are not only delicious, but they are often healthier and better for the environment. Using homemade food, no prepackaging, and reusable containers, it is simple to pack a frugal school lunch.
