Saving on School Lunches

With the high cost of food, gas and general living expenses, we are all looking at how to economize a bit to get more for our buck. Back to school means buying food for school lunches or purchasing school lunches. I can't tell you how many articles I have seen in the last month related to the increasing cost of school lunches. School cafeterias are experiencing the higher cost of providing school lunches and it is going to be passed down to the kids, or I should say parents. But that is to be expected.

What can parents do to try to control food costs, be a bit more economical and still provide their child with a nutritious lunch. This article shared a few ideas that some parents were doing with their children. It also pointed out the opportunity to teach your child about economics.

I do know you pay more for convenience. Here are a few off the top of my head suggestions:

• So one way to economize is to avoid the prepackaged lunches.
• Buying in bulk and packaging it yourself will save some money.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables are still inexpensive compared to high fat foods.
• Looking at what your child actually eats and minimizing the "throwing food away" will help.
• Having kids participate in the lunch making process, food selection will increase the chances that they will eat what you send.