Bag A Safe Lunch!

Packing a lunch your child will eat and not trade is tough.  Packing a safe lunch is not.  I find that following a few simple guidelines keeps my kid’s lunches safe.

Start out your lunch preparation with clean hands, a clean counter, and a clean lunch container.  Insulated containers (better than paper) and lunch boxes need to be cleaned daily with hot soapy water.  Check all of your expiration dates—expired food is bad!

Now you’re ready to choose your food items.  Remember that food cannot remain at room temperature for more than two hours before it becomes unsafe.  So either pack non-perishable items (like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) or keep the foods hot/cold.

• Anything taken out of the fridge needs to be kept cold (41°or lower)
  • Use and ice/gel pack, frozen milk in a plastic container, ice cubes in a baggie, a frozen juice box, a thermos, freeze your sandwich the night before, or freeze water in a leak proof container
  • Refrigerate things the night before so that they are cold
  • Have your child keep their lunch in a refrigerator or at least someplace cool and out of the sun
  • Purchase milk at school
• Anything taken out of the oven/microwave needs to be kept hot (135° or higher)
  • Use a thermos to keep soups and casseroles hot
  • Heat up items like chicken nuggets in the morning, and place them in a hot thermos

Finally, remind your student to wash their hands before lunch.  If this is not possible—then include a wet wipe and a napkin.   A quick message of encouragement for the day on the napkin will be a nice surprise!