The start of the year is a great time to make those small changes of cutting down packaging waste and increasing your positive approach to lunchtime! Our five lunchbox ideas will ensure the members of your household head off to their day with healthy and tasty options. Read on for tips and to download our 5 lunchbox ideas with all recipes included.
  • To help get you started on creating wholesome lunches for your household members and reducing lunchbox waste…

     

    5 LUNCHBOX IDEAS + RECIPES FREE DOWNLOAD

     

    Download Now

     

    Visit your nearest store to stock up on all your ingredients, snacks and our zero waste Warrior Lunchboxes.

    Be sure to tag us in your wonderful lunchbox creations @thesourcebulkfoods

  • Weekend prep

     

    There are so many tips and tricks out there to make school lunches quick and easy. Try to set a few hours aside on Sunday to do some kitchen prep for the week ahead. Include the kids and reward them with batter-bowl licking! Here are a few of our favourite ways to fill a lunchbox with healthy, delicious and package-free food.

    • Batch-cook quinoa or rice on Sunday night for a quick burger, burrito or sandwich filler for early in the week.*
    • Bulk-roast some vegetables like pumpkin, capsicum and sweet potato to make quick sandwiches or wraps on the go.
    • Pre-cut vegetables like carrot, celery, cucumber and mix in separate containers with a few dollops of hummus.
    • Pre-cut fruit rockmelon, oranges and watermelon and package in a few containers for a daily fruit salad.
    • Roast a few organic chickens or legs of lamb for simple meat options.
    • Boil some eggs, and set aside for easy use during the week.*
    • Make a few jars of swiss bircher muesli, chia seed puddings or granola.
    • Make a double batch of healthy cupcakes, muffins or muesli bars and freeze the other half for the week after.
    • Make a few lasagnas or vegetable slices and freeze for later use.
  • Prep in bulk

     

    Visit your local The Source Bulk Foods with your kids for your weekly shopping haul. Bring in your own containers or glass jars and fill them up with healthy and delicious bulk foods like grains, beans & pulses, nuts, seeds, snacks, herbs & spices, dried fruits and more.

    Ditch individually wrapped snacks and create your own bulk snack pantry collection for easy lunchbox meal prep. Invest in large jars (we have these available for purchase in store) and fill with your children’s favourite snacks. Keeping them airtight and stored in a cool, dry place, these snacks will last for weeks. This stash is also handy for when guests pop over or movie nights!

    Be sure to explain to your kids why you’re choosing to buy in bulk and what that means for the planet.

     

    Warrior Lunch Boxes

    While in store, be sure to check out our warrior lunch box. Keep your kids’ lunches fresh and secure with our stainless steel, dishwasher safe and non-toxic boxes that make lunchtime fun!

  • Extra tips

     

    When it comes to developing healthy eating habits in your kids, balance is the most important thing you can teach. For us at The Source Bulk Foods, we believe in the 80/20 rule: try to give your kids healthy selections 80 per cent of the time and save a few snacks like our chocolate honeycomb or chocolate frogs for occasional treats.

    Even though you might fill your kids’ lunch boxes with healthy homemade treats, the real test happens when they’re on a break or after school, tantalised by the sugary treats at the school canteen or convenience store. Will your child choose a packaged, sugar-filled chocolate bar or will they be satisfied with the beeswax-wrapped Sweet Nut-Free Muesli Bar recipe below?

    To ensure that 80 per cent of the time your kids choose the homemade muesli bar option, you must amplify your message. One way to do this is to share your “why” with your kids: why should your kids choose healthy foods? What does healthy food do for their growing body? There are plenty of fun and educational games available online that teach kids about healthy eating.

    It’s also important to share your “why” when it comes to waste. Be vocal with your kids about why packaging and plastic waste is a big no-no for the environment. You might even like to watch documentaries like 2040 with your kids. By educating your little ones, you can rest assured knowing our beautiful planet will thrive for generations to come.

    Recipe: Sweet Nut-Free Muesli Bars

    These sweet and delicious bars made with whole oats and a whole lot of love, making them a healthy alternative to store-bought muesli bars.

    Makes: 10-12 bars

    METHOD

    • Preheat oven to 160ºC and grease a square slice tray.
    • Place all ingredients in food processor and pulse until well combined.
    • Press mixture into slice tray, sprinkle with fine coconut and bake for 20-25 mins.
    • Remove from oven and cut into bars while still warm. Allow to cool completely before eating.
    • Place in the centre of a beeswax wrap, fold and add to a lunchbox.

     

    For more lunchbox recipes download our 5 lunch box ideas!

Visit your nearest store to browse the aisles abundant of over 400 quality products. Our friendly and knowledgeable team are on hand to provide you with all the recommendations and assistance you may need.

 

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Pictures are for illustration purposes only. Not all products available in all stores. Only while stocks last. 

*To ensure your lunch box recipes remain fresh and healthy proper storage, including refrigeration, is essential. Ingredients high in protein can present the highest potential hazard. While we might think of raw meat, fish or dairy first when considering food safety, pre-cooked rice and pasta and eggs also present a risk.

Pre-cooked rice must be used immediately or refrigerated within 1 hour. It can be stored in the fridge safely in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. If the rice is to be used in a recipe or packed in a lunch box, pre-cooked rice that has been refrigerated for no longer than 2 days is recommended.

Pre-cooked pasta and pasta dishes can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Hard boiled eggs in their shells can be refrigerated for up to 5-6 days. Soft boiled eggs in their shells should be kept in the fridge for no longer than 2 days. Egg salads and similar egg dishes can get refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days. 

The ‘danger zone’ for cooked products is between 5o C – 60oC. Food that is held between this temperature range must be consumed within 4 hours or discarded.


If prepacking your lunchbox the night before consuming, return it to the refrigerator as quickly as possible. If there’s a fridge at your office/school, pop your lunchbox in until you are ready to eat.

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