Every school year, lunchboxes come home with half-eaten sandwiches, warm string cheese and untouched fruit that spent too long in a backpack or on a hot bus. It’s frustrating, not just because of the wasted food, but because of the wasted time, energy and money too.

This school year, we’re offering a Fresh Take on lunch-packing: it all starts with prepping smarter and portioning realistically. With a few small shifts in your routine, you can keep lunches fresh, appetites satisfied and waste to a minimum.

  WHY LUNCHES GO UNEATEN

Most of the time, it comes down to one thing — we’re packing more than kids can (or will) eat. It’s natural to want to give them options, but without a plan, it’s easy to overdo it. That extra snack or side may seem like a good idea in the morning, but it often ends up in the trash by afternoon.

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SMARTER PREP, LESS WASTE

Here are a few practical tips to help your family pack better and waste less:

Think in portions, not variety.

Instead of loading up the lunchbox with choices, focus on portion sizes that reflect what your child typically eats at home. A smaller lunch that gets eaten is better than a big one that gets tossed.

Prep together.

Involve kids in the process, whether it’s picking what goes in their lunch or helping portion snacks. When they help pack it, they’re more likely to eat it.

Use leftovers.

Look at the week’s meals and think about what leftovers could double as lunchbox options. A little planning can save time in the mornings and cut down on food waste.

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KID-APPROVED RECIPES THAT GO THE DISTANCE

  • Applesauce: Use bruised or surplus apples to make a big batch over the weekend. It’s great chilled and easy to portion.
  • Scrap Wraps: Turn your leftovers into an easy-to-pack and easy-to-eat lunch. Whether you make the wrap or your child picks which “scraps” to combine, scrap wraps are a fun way to keep lunch healthy and interesting.
  • Energy Bars: Made from pantry staples and ideal for lunch or after-school snacking. Bonus: they freeze well, too.

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MAKE IT A FAMILY CHALLENGE

Want to take your lunch-packing to the next level? Take the Food Waste Challenge. It’s a simple way to track what your family saves — and what you learn — just by being a little more mindful each day. Start small, stick with it and see how much food (and money) you can keep out of the trash.

The school year brings enough challenges. Let’s not let lunch be one of them. By planning, portioning right and packing with purpose, we can all do our part to reduce food waste — one lunchbox at a time.

Get more kid-friendly recipes and tips to help the whole family reduce food waste at SaveMoreThanFood.org/FreshTakes.