As the summer holidays come to an end, it’s time to start the back-to-school shopping, and one thing that can see costs shoot up is school lunches. Every parent wants to give their kids something nutritious that they’ll actually eat, but the cost and effort of creating a new masterpiece every day can feel overwhelming.
With this in mind, Richard Price, a pro shopper at Britsuperstore, has shared just how you can save money while still giving your children a delicious and nutritious meal. He explains: “The key is to think like a restaurant. Restaurants succeed by using what’s in season, what’s on offer, and reusing ingredients across multiple meals. We can apply that same mindset at home to cut waste and cost.”
He explained that instead of planning a daily lunch, you should plan a weekly ‘lunchbox menu’ based on what you have in and what is on special offer in the supermarket.
For example, if your local supermarket has carrots and wraps on promotion, your lunches for the week could feature carrot sticks and wraps with various fillings.
Alternatively, you can make a large batch of something on Sunday night, like a pasta salad or a big pot of soup, which can then be portioned out throughout the week.
“Parents often feel pressure to make every lunch unique, but the truth is, children often prefer consistency,” adds Richard. “A well-planned weekly menu also helps reduce food waste, which is a hidden cost for many families.”
Richard’s other tips for keeping food costs down:
- Bulk buy non-perishable items like snack bars, crisps, and drinks, as these can work out cheaper overall if bought in big packs.
- Use dinner leftovers as packed lunches. Chilli, stews, and roasted vegetables all work perfectly in a wrap or just simply in a plastic container.
- Get the kids involved in planning their lunches – let them pick out a fruit or snack while doing your weekly shop. If they can pick their own foods, they’re much more likely to eat them, which will decrease your household’s food waste.
