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School snacks: Help wanted

Posted on Jun 21st 2008 7:30AM by Jacki Donaldson

Filed Under: Healthy Kids, Nutrition & Supplements

OK, readers, I need some help. Here's my dilemma: At my kids' elementary school, parents are expected to bring one bulk snack once each month, something that will serve about 20 kids. If every mom or dad complies with this expectation, teachers end up outfitted for mid-day snacks all year round. Simple enough. But I'm concerned with what I should donate each month. Last year, I tried to offer something not so terribly unhealthy -- mini bags of pretzels, for example -- but this coming Fall, I want to do better.

Here's my ideal: Fruit, maybe grapes divvied up into baggies, sliced apples, something whole and fresh and well, healthy. I guess I could plan with my kids' two teachers to pick a day each month where I show up and pass out my wholesome snack -- no way of refrigerating these snacks for later -- but I'm wondering if you have any kid-friendly suggestions I might use for this homework assignment, something I can deliver and leave with the teacher to use when appropriate. Most parents donate bags of chips, crackers, and cookies, but I don't want to succumb to these easy treats. I hate nothing more than seeing my kids walk out of school with Oreo mustaches. Not exactly fuel for the brain, you know. So help me, won't you? Leave a comment below and tell me what to do.

Here's to the good health of kids -- yours and mine.

8 Comment

Tags: fruit, help, ideas, Jacki Donaldson, JackiDonaldson, kids, school, snacks, wanted

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Heather 6-21-2008 @ 9:19AM

How about raisins or other dehydrated things? Raisins are great fuel for the body!
I would suggest nuts, but I know there is probably serious allergy issues there.
I make these 'crackers' in the dehydrator from flaxseed and veggies- my son will eat those up. Of course if it's just the veggies in front of him, he won't touch them.

matt 6-21-2008 @ 9:19AM

how about granola? there are some good low-sugar brands out there.

Susan 6-21-2008 @ 2:17PM

These aren't exactly pocket-book friendly, but I rely on these for my kids' lunches during the school year. They're convenient, organic, shelf stable, and have no high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or partially hydrogenated fats in them:
- Kettle Valley fruit snacks (pureed, dried fruit strips)
- Late July crackers
- Clif twisted fruit
- Clif Zbars for Kids
- Stretch Island Fruitaboo
- Stonyfield Yogurt Squeezers (freeze them and by snack time they'll be thawed but still cold)
- Applesauce cups
- boxes of raisins
- bananas
- apples
- homemade trail mix
- homemade muffins or breads

A lot of the name brand items can be purchased online in bulk to help keep the price down. I have found many of them at Amazon. Good luck!

Amma 6-21-2008 @ 2:16PM

There is a company called Fizzy Fruit that makes fruit cups that are packaged so the fruit is carbonated. No preservatives, just packaged so when you open it, the fruit fizzes.
Kids would probably like that!

http://www.fizzyfruit.com/

Rebee 6-22-2008 @ 10:10AM

You can cut up apples and put them in acidulated water (water with some lemon juice added) to keep them from browning.

Celery sticks with raisins and peanut butter was always a favorite when I was a kid (replace the peanut butter with soy butter, pine-nut butter or sunflower butter for a non nut alternative)

Carrot sticks with hummas

No fridge? why not bring in a cooler on your days to donate. it will keep most things cool until snack time.

Little mini sandwiches are a great snack, cut them into fun shapes with cookie cutters to really get the kids' attention.

rrr 6-22-2008 @ 10:11AM

Fantastic ideas! I don't have any kids but I'm going to use these ideas for packing my own lunches!

Joy 6-22-2008 @ 10:10AM

Being a teacher, having less sugar and chips as a snack would be welcomed in my classroom. Sending in something that would be easily handed out is also nice as well.

A water bottle to hydrate their little brains would be a nice addition to snack time instead of sugary juices. Crackers with peanut butter or cheese for those with peanut allergies. Cheese sticks or cubes would be great as well. Most schools do have a refrigerator for teachers to use and wouldn't be a major problem.

Bethany Sanders 6-23-2008 @ 9:43AM

I think apples are the perfect portable snack, and unless the kids are tiny, you really don't need to slice them.

I'm with you on the school snack thing. In kindergarten, they get fed two snacks a day, plus lunch. That's a LOT of junkfood!