Back to School in 2020
As we approach (or begin) the 2020 school year it’s important to consider your family’s food and nutrition habits.
Packing Lunch To Go
- Buy items that require no assembly such as string cheese, apples, yogurt tubes, or carrot sticks
- Involve your child in menu planning
- See if there’s any meals or snacks that could double for both your lunch and their lunch
- Be sure to ask what meals or snacks are provided by the school or childcare facility and if anything is altered due to COVID
No refrigerator options
- Proteins: tuna/chicken/salmon packs
- Single serve hummus packs, roasted chickpeas or broad beans, nut butters, nuts
- Carbohydrates: popcorn, whole grain crackers, whole grain/high fiber pitas and wraps
- Fruits and vegetables: apples/oranges/bananas/ clementine
- Baked fruit and veggie chips
- Meal replacement protein bar
- peanut butter & jelly
Prepping Lunches for at Home Virtual Students
Keep quick and easy in mind even though you are home
- Even if you aren’t heading out, planning a lunch menu & snacks is still useful
- Have proteins or leftovers prepped and ready for quick lunches
- If your child is doing virtual learning, plan menus for them and if age appropriate encourage them to prepare their lunch or snacks
- Keep healthy grab n go snacks in eyesight for an afternoon hunger attack
Think on a food group level for lunches
- Main dishes – make a big batch and portion out for multiple lunches
- Grain bowl
- Salad with protein
- Peanut butter on whole grain bread with fruit
- Soups or chili
- Sides – fruit, veggies & dip, yogurt, granola bar or trail mix etc.
Back to School Food Safety
- Keep food cold (below 40 °F) – utilize ice packs or a freezable lunch box
- Danger zone is between 40 °F and 140 °F
- Wash cutting boards, utensils, and countertops with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item
- Don’t cross contaminate – cut meats/poultry on separate clean cutting boards, and cut fruits/vegetables on a different cutting board
- For hot lunches, reheat in the microwave to 165 °F
- Visit the USDA and CDC websites for more information on Food Safety
Resources & Inspiration
Produce For Kids is a wonderful resource that includes recipe ideas, lunchbox inspiration, and kid-friendly ways to improve your family’s health.
Kids Eat Right from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a plethora of informative articles and recipes to make with the whole family!