Good Earth:  School Lunches

Packing school lunches day after day, it can be a tedious and seemingly endless chore.  But with more than 50 million children eating lunch in schools across the country every day, the real burden is on the planet.

But there are things you can do to help. 

School is back in session, and here’s one fact you probably haven’t even thought about.  Did you know that the average American child produces nearly 70 pounds of trash each year from school lunch alone?  It’s true.

So here’s some advice on how to produce a “green” and well-fed child.

1.  The Container
Your child’s lunch bag or box can be a expression of their personality and their concern for the planet.  Keep it green by using a reusable container that will last for years.

2.  The Packaging
Little individual snacks seem to be so convenient, yet they create mountains of waste and use up valuable resources.  It’s best to buy in bulk and put food in reusable containers.

3.  Buy Local
Try to buy local, organic and sustainable food.  To help all year long, you can freeze fruit and veggies from the summer.

4.  Wasted Food
The step is the hardest…getting kids to eat their lunch.  Wasted food is probably the biggest blow to the environment. 

One way to get your kids to eat is to encourage them to pick out and prepare their school lunch.  Pack a variety, and even presentation counts for something!