Please check your snack food’s ingredient list to be sure it is not processed in a facility that also processes PEANUTS and do not send PEANUT BUTTER  to school. Alternative nut butters to use: Sunbutter (made from sunflower seeds), almond butter, nutella (made from hazelnuts + cocoa), or WowButter (made from soynuts).

Is your child a “snacker”? Consider packing his or her lunch in this way using washable silicone cups as a way to keep things separated inside a larger container. This way you can mix cut fresh fruit with crackers, dip, etc. without having to use so many little containers or ziploc bags (extra yay for being environmentally friendly!). Portion sizes are great for preschool tummies. This particular container also has a space for an ice pack between the food and the lid…so handy!

Need some lunch packing ideas? Try checking out the following sites. “Like” their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter, or sign up for their RSS feeds. Enjoy!

(if you have any other suggestions of links you’d like to share, please let me know!!)

http://www.pinterest.com/easylunchboxes/easy-lunch-box-lunches/

http://www.food.com/slideshow/back-to-school-lunch-box-ideas-111

http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/ (click on the link “School Lunches” on the right side under the heading “Where To Start” and/or check her blog posts from September 2013)