I'm a semi-tree hugger and absolutely refuse to send my girls' lunches in zip lock baggies. So I have little tupperwares that I use. I usually send three items so that's three little tupperwares each. No big deal really. But I know they often need the teachers help in opening them and I wonder if the teachers view them as a pain; three tupperwares with lids that they have to keep up with.
So I'm contemplating a planet box. But I am appalled at the price, lol. Is it really worth it? Any cheaper alternatives?
What do you use if you don't use ziplock baggies?
Re: Planet box or something similar for school lunches.
I don't have to send lunches just yet, but when we have to pack snacks for a day out or something, I've found quite a few options for fabric snack bags, lined and unlined.
I got some of the unlined ones really cheap at Target during back-to-school shopping. I keep an eye out for deal site coupons as well; I got one for Reusies awhile back and now we have several of those in various sizes. Both types are easy to rinse/wash and dry quickly.
https://www.reusies.com/
I'm sure you can find plenty of similar things on etsy or ecomom.
If DD1 attends full-day kindy this fall, then I'll start looking more seriously at our lunch box options. I've heard good things about Goodbyns.
DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010
I know that Planetbox is having a sale right now - just a few dollars off, but still something.
https://www.allthingsforsale.com/lock-lock-lunch-box-set/2135-finest-stainless-steel-bento-lunch-box-2-containers-8851991501227.html
This is a stainless steel bento box for a very good price. We have this one and it is a good size - holds lots of food. My DD can open the lid with no problems but sometimes needs help closing it. To separate the food inside, you can use silicone muffin cups or natural barriers like lettuce. It also comes with a small lidded container.
DS has been using a Planetbox daily since September. His teacher's seem to love it. He can open it and set it up all by himself without a problem. My biggest challenge with it has been coming up with different main foods to send with him. Before this, we would often send in leftovers that were reheated but with the planet box, we obviously can't reheat. And he is a pretty picky sandwich eater. So we do a lot of sunbutter and jam sandwiches with sides and crackers/cheese/pepperoni with sides of fruits and veggies. Occasionally, he will eat diced ham or turkey. I love that I can send a fruit salad or yogurt in the smaller containers that tuck inside and they don't spill.
Before this, we used plastic containers but I think that his teachers opened them up for him.
I back a lunch for both my boys everyday and was having hard time spending money on some of the various bento boxes. I ended up buying this box from Pottery Barn Kids:
https://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/spencer-bento-box-containers/?cm_src=AutoRel
I wasn't crazy about it being made out of plastic but thought we would give them a try, especially for the price. I assumed if they worked well we would upgrade to something else. Well, we have been using them since end of August and I have never been tempted to buy anything else. For the price, you cannot beat it. They fit perfect into their standard size lunch boxes and simple to clean each night.
It makes me happy that we have not been using the zip lock bags. I just hate going through a handful everyday.