“Should I send my child to school with food that’s hot, cold, or room temperature?”
Believe it or not, this simple question is one of the most frequently asked on the weelicious website. Understandably, it can be a real stress for parents. I usually send Kenya and Chloe to school with cool to room-temperature lunches, but recently Kenya has started to ask for warmer food, such as soups, stews, even mac and cheese. I love the idea of switching things up and adding a bit more variety to what I send for lunch, especially in the cooler months. But sending a hot meal takes a little more effort, and it’s worth keeping a few things in mind.
Obviously, the first thing to think about is what you’re going to serve. The second is your choice of container, as you want to keep the food at an appropriate temperature.
1. I highly recommend avoiding anything plastic when storing hot foods (while I don’t like putting any food in plastic, harmful chemicals leach more easily into hot foods). Stainless thermoses keep food warm for hours, and are also good choices when it comes to food safety.
2. If you’re sending your child to school with food that needs to be reheated, make sure the container is absolutely microwave safe and that a teacher is able to help him heat or warm it to an appropriate temperature that won’t burn his mouth.
3. On most days, especially if lunch can’t be refrigerated at school, using a reusable ice pack inside the lunch bag is essential to keep food at a safe temperature.
HOT TIP: If you want to keep food really warm, fill a thermos with boiling water, place it on the counter, screw on the lid, and let it sit for five minutes. Pour out the hot water, fill with warm or hot food, and replace the lid. Your food will stay piping hot for hours!
COOL TIP: Place fruit squeeze pouches such as Ella’s Kitchen, Mott’s Snack and Go, or Plum Organics in the freezer overnight then use it as an ice pack for your child’s lunch box. They will defrost by lunch and be ready to eat!
Reusable Bags
If you really love using something more along the lines of an old-fashioned lunch bag, or prefer the containers you already use, take a peek at these washable bags:
graze organic Heather Jacobs and Leslie Sarracino’s company specializes in these “reusable, reclosable snack and sandwich bags” made from 100 percent organic cotton featuring cool whimsical artwork silkscreened with water-based inks. They also make lunch totes and cloth napkins (no more wasting paper). Everything is extremely well made, washable, and great for packing sandwiches, sliced veggies, dried fruit, cereal, and pretzels. In addition to lunch, I also have to provide Kenya with a snack every day at school. I generally pack a whole piece of fruit, pretzels, a Chocolate Chip Granola Bar baby carrots, sugar snap peas, or another treat in graze’s Velcro closure snack bags. (P.S. They’re great for holding makeup or money in Mom’s purse too!) www.grazeorganic.com
Funkins These charming cloth napkins come in a variety of kid friendly patterns that you can wash time after time.
SoYoung SoYoung makes cooler bags, diaper bags, backpacks, and really beautiful coated linen lunch boxes that can be worn backpack style! Like everything I recommend here, they are PVC-free, phthalate-free, and lead safe. www.soyoung.ca
Containers
Maybe you already have a bag you like and just need some great, safe, leak-proof containers. Here’s a bunch I like that should fit perfectly inside most bags.
Square nesting trio. These BPA-free, leak-proof containers are perfect for holding everything from sandwiches, to yogurt, snacks and more. store.kidskonserve.com/Square-Leak-Proof-Nesting-Trio-Set-of-3-p/uko13.htm
Stainless Steel ECOlunchbox Three-in-one, stackable and easy to safely toss right in the dishwasher after every use, these bento-style lunch containers are stainless steel, easy to use and food safe. www.amazon.com
For snacks on the go, LunchBots are a mom’s dream. The easy to click in place lids are drip proof, so even foods like yogurt travel well. Toss some trail mix, cut-up veggies, or fruits right in the food containers, throw them into your purse, and you’re ready to go. www.lunchbots.com
We were given a Think feeding set when Kenya was a baby and still use it today. These stainless and BPA-free travel containers have withstood a ton of wear and tear and still look great! www.thinkbabybottles.com
Bottles
Why spend tons of money on water in plastic bottles and juice boxes when you can easily fill a reusable bottle? We have them for the whole family, and they’re a great investment. All of the following are stainless steel and BPA-free.
Klean Kanteen stainless steel bottles are free of BPA, Phylalate, lead, and other toxins. They come in a wide range of colors and sizes to fit all ages. www.kleankanteen.com
Wawabots are a ton of fun because you can personalize them. Instead of writing your kid’s name on his bottle with a Sharpie, how about putting his picture on the outside instead? Guaranteed no more confusion at school as to which bottle belongs to whom. www.wawabots.com
Fashionable and functional, I’ve had the same Sigg stainless bottles for years and they’re still in great shape. www.mysigg.com