Children get about 30% of their daily food intake at school, making it crucial to pack their lunchboxes with nutritious options that support their learning, growth, and overall health. A well-balanced lunchbox should include whole foods from all five core food groups. Whether the food is packed from home or prepared on-site, it’s important that what children eat at school meets their nutritional needs while also considering their social and cultural preferences.
These resources help equip parents with the tools to pack healthier lunchboxes, empowering them to make nutritious food choices that support their children’s growth, learning, and overall well-being. By offering practical tips and guidance, educators can help ensure that lunchboxes are filled with nutritious, balanced meals that meet children’s dietary needs.
Create brain food breaks: Ask parents to provide an extra vegetable or piece of fruit, that is clean and easy to eat in class.
Drawing brain foods: Ask kids to draw their favourite brain food and have a classroom discussion to make learning about them fun.
Introduce “Try It” days: Encourage students to try new fruits or veggies in their lunchboxes. This can be done by providing samples at school or by asking parents to introduce a new food item each week.
Create a shared grazing bowl: Invite kids to contribute fruits or vegetables to a communal bowl. Throughout the day, they can snack on the items and share with their friends. The teacher can also use this opportunity to talk about the different foods that are brought in.
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