Time is flying this summer! You still have a few more weeks of freedom, but back-to-school is just around the corner. We know life can get hectic, and school lunches can get boring. We want to help! Here are some quick ideas you can prep ahead to make mornings a little easier, and keep tummies full of healthy - and fun! - meals.
We love traditional "Ants on a Log" (celery topped with peanut butter and raisins), but we also love all of the different variations of it that you can create! For the filling, try any nut butter, cream cheese, cottage cheese, hummus, Greek yogurt or guacamole. For the "ant" topping, try raisins, dried fruit, blueberries, seeds, granola, chocolate chips and more. The options are truly endless!
For a quick on-the-go snack, try this delicious blueberry pistachio bar from This Bar Saves Lives. As the title suggests, every time you purchase a bar, you send a packet of life-saving food to a malnourished child in need.
We are always looking for ways to reduce waste at home. Instead of using tin foil or plastic wrap, try out these reusable sandwich wraps. Made of beeswax, organic cotton and organic jojoba oil, it uses the heat from your hands to create a seal. These are also great for wrapping fruit, veggies and leftovers!
Sandwiches are a classic for a nutritious and filling school lunch. Farm Fresh To You has you covered with sliced bread, organic sliced cheese, antibiotic-free and no-hormone-added lunch meats, and all of your favorite condiments. Prefer a vegetarian option? Try using hummus and add some sliced bell peppers for a satisfying crunch.
For a sweet treat, try a Petit Pot. We have delicious pudding and lemon curd options, as well as dairy-free coconut-based rice puddings. Plus, these cute little jars are perfect for reusing for future lunches!
Got a snacker on your hands? Put together an alternative to those pre-packaged cheese and cracker lunch kits. Create a grazing box with cheese, salami and crackers. Add a few Tosi Cashew Super Bites for added protein and fiber.
Try a twist on a true classic with this PB&J roll-up. Spread peanut butter and jam onto a thin lavash or tortilla, then roll and slice into rounds. Our staff member's son affectionately refers to this creation as "PB&J sushi." Add a hard-boiled egg for extra protein.
This lunch features celery sticks, juicy grapes, sliced rainbow carrots, and tortilla chips to dip into delicious guacamole, plus a bar or fruit snack for an afternoon treat. There are countless variations of these lavash pinwheel roll-ups that you can create. This one features cream cheese and cucumber slices - it's cool, crisp and refreshing! Below are some of our other favorites:
- Peanut butter and banana
- Hummus and thinly sliced veggies
- Turkey, avocado and tomato
- Salami, lettuce and cheese
- Smoked salmon, cream cheese and dill
- Tuna salad and cheese
- Shredded chicken, guacamole and thinly sliced bell pepper
These thin lightly salted rice cakes are great plain as a snack, but they also make the perfect base for an open-face sandwich. We spread on some hummus and topped them with sliced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. We added our Cranberry, Cashew, Almond Trail Mix for fiber and a vegan yogurt tube for a morning snack or breakfast on the go!
We hope this helps inspire you to get creative with your children's lunches this year. You can even get them involved with preparing their food - our kids love making their own ants on a log and older kids are great at creating their own lavash roll-up combinations. The best part? All of these items can be conveniently added to your farm box delivery.
CSA members - head on over to our online Farm Stand Market to customize your upcoming delivery. Market is open from noon on Thursday until 6 pm, 2 days before your scheduled delivery day. After you confirm your produce items, click the orange button "Confirm and Continue To Other Farm Products" to add the products to your delivery.
Not part of our farm family? Find out if we deliver to your neighborhood.
