Kids are back at school, and many families are once again faced with the daily task of filling lunchboxes.
This week, Nutrition Australia wants to inspire families to create enjoyable and nourishing lunchboxes by celebrating National Lunchbox Week, which runs from February 9 to February 15.
It comes at a time when the daily routine of packing a lunch can feel daunting for some families.
Time, culture and individual preferences are all factors in what ends up in a lunchbox.
But so is cost, and with grocery prices still high, it can be an added pressure for families.
“Definitely we’re experiencing that it is costing us more money,” local nutritionist Katie Thorp said of her personal experience.
A study published last year showed roughly 90 per cent of school kids in Australia bring a home-packed lunch.
Based on 2023 food prices, that study placed the cost of filling a lunchbox between $3 and $6 per child, per day.
In the past two years, food prices have continued to rise, including a three per cent increase over the 12 months to December 2024, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Ms Thorp said lunchboxes could be a tricky area for a lot of families.
Some parents may not know what to pack, or are unsure what kids will eat, especially those who are just starting school.
Some families struggle to have enough food.
“Adding the price of things into this already complicated situation… it makes it harder for families,” Ms Thorp said.
On top of all that, parents may be inundated with social media images of eye-catching, complex creations, and feel pressure to provide something similar for their kids.
But Ms Thorp said that was not necessary.
“There’s nothing wrong with a Vegemite sandwich. It doesn’t have to be elaborate,” she said.
As long as kids have food that provides nutrients, and can be eaten on the go, Ms Thorp said that was enough.
To that end, Ms Thorp said there were practical things families could do to ensure kids were getting good lunches that didn’t break the bank.
Among her suggestions was for people to shop the outer aisles of the supermarket, where fresh produce and dairy items were found.
Ms Thorp said, as much as possible, people should try to avoid the processed, packaged foods that were often expensive and had less nutritional value.
“Put the blinkers on when you go to the supermarket and keep it simple,” she said, recommending people go back to the basics like fruit, vegetables, grains and protein.
In addition to this, Ms Thorp recommended families turn to cooking if they had the time.
She said making things such as muffins and muesli bars at home was one of the most cost-effective solutions.
She also recommended using leftovers for lunchboxes and buying items in bulk where practical.
Ms Thorp said protein helped to keep kids full and could be an easy addition to the lunchbox.
She recommended snacks such as boiled eggs, or a frozen tub of yoghurt, which would remain cool all day.
“It really pays to be organised,” she said.
“But I get it, it’s hard. Parents and families are so busy as it is.”
Ms Thorp recognised that families did the best they could, and she said that was all anyone could ask.
In addition to Ms Thorp’s suggestions, the National Lunchbox Week campaign aims to provide resources to families and schools with practical lunchbox ideas and recipes.
“Encouraging enjoyable and pressure-free lunchbox experiences supports children’s wellbeing and helps build a positive relationship with food,” the website states.
For more information and ideas, visit lunchboxweek.org
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