Hi! My name is Ranae, and I'm new to the boards and to vegetarianism. I am also an environmentalist. I pack my kids' lunches for school 4 out of 5 days of the week. I pack healthy lunches: usually a sandwich or crackers with something to dip them in; fruit, veggie, a small handful of chips, and usually a homemade goodie of some sort. Here's my question:
We go through SOOO many baggies! I do have small gladware containers that I use for things like applesauce, salad, etc. But their munchie/goodie-type things I put into baggies. I know they could bring them home for reuse, but they are 9 year old boys and lucky they can find the cafeteria and eat in 20 minutes, KWIM? Also, because each kid usually has 2 or 3 apiece, it could get pretty messy in my kitchen with all those baggies laying around to dry.
I would love to find something else that would be reusable that they can bring home. Their lunch bags are only so big.
ANY SUGGESTIONS?? :help:

Peace,
Ranae

Maybe you might try a lunch box, that has different compartments in it. This way you can reuse it and not go through all the paper bags and plastic baggies. Also, I might try the camping section of a sporting goods store to find one, usually they have a better selection.

Maybe you might try a lunch box, that has different compartments in it. This way you can reuse it and not go through all the paper bags and plastic baggies. Also, I might try the camping section of a sporting goods store to find one, usually they have a better selection.

2nd those suggestions. Also, perhaps you can google something like, "eco-friendly lunchbox", or some other combinations and see if there is something out there. I bet there is somewhere.

have you seen this ladys' blog? i think you'll like it.....
http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/

she uses this lunch box for her son, it looks really good, and comes with all these little compartments and pots for dips, etc.....
http://www.laptoplunches.com/

Try this link.. http://www.reusablebags.com/store/lunch-bags-lunch-boxes-c-4_20.html

they are a bit pricy, but look durable. I think something like that could get you through a few years.

I'll second laptop lunches...great product and monthly newsletter...while they are not strictly vegetarian, they are mostly so and at least 95% of their recipes are veg...

I'm going to try the sandwich bags first! Great ideas on that site!

Thanks!
Peace,
Ranae

Another idea: If you still need to use things like paper bags or plastic baggies, and feel that your kids will have a hard time remembering to bring them home to reuse, maybe you could set up a little incentive for them to remember. Like so many bags brought back would be worth something, or like a points system for rewards or something.

ide get differing size plastic containers with lids that could be used for all the different foods . then ide put them in plastic grocery store bags to carry containers back and forth from school in back packs .

We used to use those resealable yogurt containers for wet foods or just to separate foods, when I was a kid. They're plentiful and it's not a big deal if your kid forgets it. I don't know if they have resealable soygurt containers.
~Wonder :guitar:

I will definitely be getting one (or two) of those laptop lunch containers for the next school year. Those things are awesome.

B