Safe & Convenient Lunchboxes: What do you use?
As back-to-school quickly approaches, I've been spending (potentially) unhealthy amounts of time thinking about lunch boxes. We've discussed plastics aplenty over on Activistas, but other than health concerns, which may or not be relevant to tupperware (anyone?), they tend to have shorter lives in our kitchens and long ones in the land fill. Any suggestions out there for a mama trying to avoid plastic bags and tupperware for packing lunches?
I've heard good things about To-Go Ware, but wonder if it's too complicated (and heavy) for really young kids. These laptop lunch boxes, which are plastic, but definitely the safe kind, seem to be all the rage (and are sold at the Oregon Center for Environmental Health). They have lots of little compartments, which I've heard leads to very creative (and balanced) lunches, what with a mama's need to fill them all with something different. I'm inclined towards the very cute, lightweight, reusable bags like those made by Crocodile Creek and others, but that still leaves the need for tupperware/bags for actual food-packing. What do you do? Any suggestions?
Both my kids (5 and 8) have the Laptop Lunchbox. You can also get them at Mirador (right by New Seasons on Division) and there's a coupon for the store in the Chinook Book.
I really like the LTLB. I dislike making lunches, but even I get a bit inspired by those little compartments. And it continues to amaze me that loose stuff like peanuts and raisins actually stays in those unlidded boxes.
If your kid already carries a backpack, there's no need to buy the (pricey) carrying case for the LTLB. I saw it as one more thing to clean and/or get lost.
Posted by: Zinemama | August 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I have been using the laptop lunch box system for my daugther for 2 years now http://www.laptoplunches.com/ . We really like the functionality of it and I can pack her so many healthy meals in this thing. This website also has a wealth of ideas on what to make for lunches.
Posted by: Timber | August 14, 2008 at 01:22 PM
I am going to have 4 kids in school this year, and they have always brought their own lunch. We started off with brown bags, then an insulated lunchbag that came with the backpack, and now I fill a bunch of little plastic containers and throw them in a basket with a cloth napkin, Little Red Riding Hood style. That's the fad at their Waldorf school, so that's what they want. Baskets are cheap at Goodwill, so it works for me, plus it's really cute! LTLB's are really cool, but with the case I would be paying $123.96, w/o case $75.96. Crocodile Creek would run me $64 to get them all set up! Do these things seem a little overpriced to anyone else? They're just little plastic boxes, right?
Posted by: wendy | August 14, 2008 at 02:49 PM
I bought a little plastic box with four little boxes that fit in it and a snapping lid at Target for about $5. Don't know the details on the plastic, but it works fine for us to hold a sandwich and some sides or just some snacks.
Posted by: anon | August 14, 2008 at 03:36 PM
The small step that we've taken is to swap out ziploc-type bags for waxed paper bags. The 'natural' brand at New Seasons stands up much better to re-use than a plastic bag and are non-toxic & compost well.
Posted by: allison | August 14, 2008 at 07:52 PM
I bought the Crocodile Creek lunchbox for
$15.99...I'm confused how it could possible add up to $64 even if I get some containers.
I'm actually loving your idea, Allison, to use waxed paper bags. That's a great tip!
I also love the basket idea...very cool and storybook like!
I'm stunned by the cost of the LTLB...I just can't see doing that. I also feel strongly that I don't want to promote any kind of competition or feelings of inferiority about what some kids have and some kids don't based on affordability. I think it's something to consider. But I realize there will also be inequity but a lunchbox for that price just blows my mind.
Posted by: Barbara | August 14, 2008 at 10:32 PM
I just checked out the LTLB website and I apologize for assuming all the options were in the $100s of dollars. It looks like you can get something for about $35? I found their product listing a bit confusing as I don't know their lingo for the stuff. But it does look really handy. I would wonder about the breakdown factor of the plastic containers, though. I see they are free of the big offenders, but doesn't all plastic break down over time?
Posted by: Barbara | August 14, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Barbara - I think you can actually get the basic lunch box for around $20 - it's only the extra carrying case and water bottle that takes it up to $35.
http://www.laptoplunches.com/images/products/BentoColorOptions.html
Has anyone tried To-Go Ware? I'd love to know more about that one too.
http://www.to-goware.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=13
Posted by: Andrea | August 15, 2008 at 12:01 AM
I have two of the lunchbox laptop kits, plus an extra set of just the containers for each kit. I use them for lunches for my husband and I though (keeps our portion sizes under control). I've used various bento-type items/lunch jars before, but most have to be hand washed -- I can run these containers through our disherwasher. There are a lot of very cute bento-type options for kids, too, but again most need to be hand-washed -- I don't know if anyone has looked at health issues for them either.
Posted by: Sara | August 15, 2008 at 09:57 AM
You've got to figure that LTLB will have a set with stainless compartments soon...how could they resist the zillions of dollars they could rake in?
I saw some super-cute reusable sandwich wraps in Wondertime last month, but I can't find it right now to post a link. There is a different one here that is not as cute, but same idea:
http://www.dwellsmart.com/Products/School-and-Art-Supplies/Reusable-Sandwich-Wrap
There is a tutorial for how to make a similar reusable sandwich wrap here:
http://thesmallobject.com/stenopad/wordpress/?p=1263
Note the comments about how she stopped using the vinyl-coated fabric.
If you aren't avoiding plastic, the cutest bento boxes are here, along with the most stunning ideas for very adorable lunches:
http://www.cookingformonkeys.com/
And there are these expensive but gorgeous melamine stackers:
http://www.plasticashop.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=BNTOBX&Category_Code=NS
Not that we've been looking at lunch items or anything. Ha.
Posted by: Kirstin | August 15, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Here's the link for the reusable sandwich bags mentioned in Wondertime:
www.happy-sacks.com
We use a Mimi the Sardine lunch bag that I bought at New Seasons (about $20 I think). Their bags are really cute. Here is how their website describes their fabric:
"All of our products are made from Swedish cotton prints that have been treated with an environmentally sound coating to make them permanently water and soil resistant. Just wipe and wear and machine wash as needed. The fabrics are produced in accordance with strict environmental laws and are Oeko-Tex certified."
http://www.mimithesardine.com/BAGS/Bags.html#javascript:;
Posted by: Molomatic | August 15, 2008 at 09:05 PM
My soon-to-be second grader is still using his LTLB purchased in kindergarten. I balked at the price but considering it's been through the dishwasher a zillion times, well worth it. It's made of the first generation plastic they had (which is now upgraded) and about a year ago the lid broke clean off. Since I tie cloth napkins around them it stays put.
Tupperware was often not coming home, or we'd get somebody else's. My kindergartener is going on his second year of his LTLB too.
I volunteered at my son's kindergarten at lunchtime and I can tell you many well-intentioned baggied items are smooshed by noon. Lunch boxes get jostled and piled high-- I use the wax paper bags but inside something firm to keep sandwiches moist but protected. I reuse them and compost them--they also make good quickie fire starters for the bbq.
I am still having fun filling the LTLBs. It does give diversity and as I have two kids it's easier for me as they can get 1/2 a sandwich each, etc.
I don't have the kit or anything, I just bought the boxes online before they had them in town.
As for equity in the cafeteria I do agree. Some kids might feel left out but then again they might feel superior with a Spiderman lunchbox... What broke my heart doing lunch duty is WHAT some kids had packed for lunch, not HOW.
If you have the ability to visit your kids' lunchroom during the year I really recommend doing so. I still go and sit with them at least once a month (Im lucky that my schedule permits).
PS: We also use the LTLB to take snacks along to the park on the weekend. I fill it like a little crudite platter--it's just too easy.
Posted by: anon | August 17, 2008 at 09:18 AM
A year or so ago I bought some "Wrap-n-mats" at reusablebags.com (I think that's the right url) for wrapping sandwiches instead of using ziploc bags. They're great and provide an eating surface too! (Must be similar to the make-it-yourself kind of thing... that's a good idea too!) Before those, we were using lots of ziploc bags, even with washing and reusing. We also bought some tiny tupperware thingies that I use to pack whatever fruits and veggies I'm sending along. My son's preschool/kindergarten would warm stuff up, so when we sent along something like that, we have some Pyrex containers that are glass with a plastic lid. They're heavy though.
Anyway, great to have all these suggestions... is there a post about WHAT to pack? I'd love some ideas so my first-grader enjoys his home-packed lunches!
Posted by: Karen Tingey | August 17, 2008 at 10:07 AM
I am trying to pick out a backpack (seems like there arent that many options between licensed/straighforward & boring/and too young for boys.
But a point that caught my eye was the advice on Land's End NOT to monogram your child's full name on their pack because it makes it easier for strangers to approach them.
WOW it wouldnt have even crossed my mind. I was considering it because I was trying to avoid the 5 blue backpack syndrom.
Anyone have any thoughts on this? Valid thought or over reacting? Somehow doing my son's initials seems too formal but his name seemed fun.
Now I dont know.
Posted by: elizabeth | August 17, 2008 at 10:20 PM
My daughter has a LTLB that we used for preschool and that she'll be taking to kindergarten this year. She also has a Crocodile Creek box that the LTLB fits in and a small thermos so I can mix and match depending on what I send for lunch (leftovers!). There is a trick to opening the LTLB so we practiced at home before she took it to school.
I was worried about misplacing/losing the pieces of the LTLB (and other stuff) so I also got a set of Mabel's Labels (http://www.mabel.ca/). They are expensive and it took me a while to decide to buy but after a year of dishwasher abuse they look as good as new. I got the Ultimate Back-to-School Combo set and have enough to last years of coats, shoes and lunch containers. If I had another girl who would get hand-me-downs, I would have just put our last name on the labels so the clothing labels (which truly last machine washing!) would match the owner over time. Because they last so long, if you order, choose the color and design carefully.
Posted by: npdx mama | August 18, 2008 at 06:59 PM
One quick comment on the initials vs. name: I hate it that we have to think of this stuff. How often can it REALLY happen? Then again my son was wearing a shirt with his name on it at a public event recently and a nice fireman--in uniform--started talking to him personally by his name. It was fun and all banter. I was sitting right there. I did at one point ask my son (8) how the man knew his name. Without pausing he piped: "It's on my shirt, ma."
It's how we live /raise our kids that I hope will inform these situations. It's hard.
Posted by: fence sitter | August 18, 2008 at 10:12 PM
I love using the "Wrap-n-mats" for sandwiches. It's really easy to use and cleans up well. I like them better than the reusable sandwich pouches since there aren't any corners for food to get stuck in.
I was very please to find them for sale in town. They carry them at Bella Stella's big kid resale store (2635 NE Broadway). I actually brought clothes in for resale and used part of my credit to get the "Wrap-n-mat."
Posted by: Molomatic | September 23, 2009 at 04:33 PM
I use to go ware and we love it. No need to wrap anything. It all just goes in as is - sandwich, veggies, burrito, beans and rice, etc. I usually put in frozen fruit (this I put in a wax paper bag so it doesn't get other things wet as it thaws) or a frozen container of yogurt as the ice pack. I've figured out a nifty way to wedge in a spoon on the outside and usually have room to fold up a cloth napkin and put it in there too.
My son just started first grade and said that some kids told him his lunchbox was "weird." I asked him if he wanted a new lunchbox and he said no. Haven't heard of any issues since then. My only complaint is that there's no place to put a water bottle. But, after a couple weeks of school and his name plastered on the side it seems to make it home every day.
Posted by: enb | September 25, 2009 at 09:10 PM
We love love love our Planet Box! http://www.planetbox.com/
It's not cheap -- $30 for the most basic set-up, but we don't need any plastic or wraps at all. It's stainless steel that can be run through the dishwasher. And the little compartments really do keep everything in their spot.
Posted by: Stephani | September 29, 2009 at 08:45 PM
we have laptop lunches and love them but are running into the problem that our younger wants warm leftovers and that doesn't happen with this system... she isn't allowed to microwave her food to warm it up like her brother - what system keeps the kids' food warm enough to eat at lunch without having to microwave?
Posted by: Sue | January 03, 2010 at 02:50 PM
The $64 the person mentioned above would be for her four kids, $16 each.
my question is about metal lunchboxes. Is there a reason no one is using them?
We don't have a dishwasher. The soft and insulated lunch bags are full of foldy nooks and crannies that are very difficult to get truly clean. Then they're sort of soppy and wet, and I admit we've often cleaned them just moments before packing lunch. So we've been happy with the ability to thoroughly clean an old fashioned metal lunchbox. But they're hard to find in person. I found this blog entry by searching for where to get one in Portland. The last one we got was online.
Posted by: larissa | September 04, 2011 at 01:55 PM
Ooh, the planet boxes are cool. I'm off to check those out in detail.
Posted by: larissa | September 04, 2011 at 01:56 PM