Another Edition of What's For (School) Lunch?

Most of these lunches belong to my 4 year old who attends preschool. One thing, among many, that I love about her school are the healthier snacks given daily and the fact that candy is not used as a reward. Between all of my kids, we've attended 5 different preschools or Mother's Day Out programs over the years, and this is the only one that doesn't dole out candy left and right and doesn't give cheese or animal crackers every single day. The snacks might be "strawberries and wheat crackers" one day - or "banana and 1/2 a bagel" another day. We are given a snack calendar a month in advance, and I can send an alternative any day I want.

For lunch, they have to bring: 2 servings of fruits or vegetables, a meat/meat alternative, a bread/grain, and a milk drink. Although she can bring non-dairy milk, I don't really love the milk requirement. I'd prefer water with a lot of her meals. And it's a real pain on some mornings when I have to dash to the store because I realize I'm out of milk. However, I like that it prevents the other kids from bringing junky drinks. I like the lunch requirements, in general, because it forces parents to think about what they're packing.

grapes, bell pepper slices, hummus, and New York Style Bagel Crisps

sourdough bread with hummus (When I pack these, I put the hummus sides facing one another, and she pulls them apart at lunch.), a Sweet & Sara strawberry marshmallow, applesauce (organic, unsweetened 365 brand) cup, pistachios, baby carrots

Kind of plain-looking day: applesauce (organic, unsweetened 365 brand) cup, tomato chunks, and a sandwich made with Rudi's Organic bread, mustard, lettuce, Tofurky slices, and a rice cheese slice

Brother's-All-Natural freeze dried strawberries & bananas, a cooked sweet potato coin with sprinkled cinnamon, raisins, Sun Butter & agave on tortilla, pistachios

Somebody asked: yes, her school is also "peanut-free," so she brings another seed or nut butter instead. Sometimes it is cashew, etc., but my kids do prefer sunflower seed butter because it tastes the most like peanut butter.

olives, steamed broccoli, a tortilla with Tofurky & Vegan Gourmet cheese & Vegenaise, pistachios, Amanda cultured almond yogurt (and the monkey is an ice pack)

Amy's Macaroni & Cheese with sprinkled hemp seeds, Brazil nuts, kiwi fruit, baby carrots, Zen Juice Gels

This was the first time I'd seen these gel cups at Whole Foods, and I love them over some of the other gel cups we've seen. Organic juice and no added sugar.

This is one of the boys' lunches for homeschool co-op, but they all took the same thing this day. Baked tater tots (365 brand organic), Sol Cuisine Organic Falafel, steamed broccoli, Annie's Organic Orchard Apple Fruits Bites, and ketchup & hummus for dipping

My Other School Lunch Posts

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Vegan Month of Food.