For some of us, school lunches can be a bit of a challenge. Kids can go through phases of disliking certain foods or sometimes wanting what their friends have. It's not easy trying to please all the time! One thing I try to do is to offer options and to vary lunches from week to week. Also, considering the negative impact single-use plastic has on our environment I thought I'd share 7 ways to make your child's lunch plastic-free. So instead of using clingfilm, snack packs, and plastic yogurt pots which all contribute to polluting our landscapes, oceans, and rivers, here are some alternatives:

1. Swap single-use water bottles for reusable water bottles. Keeping two reusable bottles per child is a good idea to use for school and sport activities. Also, in case they forget to bring home!

2. Use a lunch box with compartments for chopped vegetables or fruit. Vegetables such as carrot sticks, cucumber, and sliced sweet peppers make great healthy snacks too!

3. Instead of plastic yogurt pots use recycled small jars (best for older kids) or smaller reusable tubs. You can fill these with chopped or stewed fruit, granola, rice pudding or even hummus (for dipping with bread or vegetable sticks)

4. Swap plastic utensils for stainless steel, BPA free plastic, or bamboo cutlery.

5. Make your own granola bars instead of using individual bars in plastic packaging. 

Try this delicious zero waste oat bar recipe from Sinead Delahunty. 

7. Swap clingfilm for beeswax food wraps. Beeswax food wraps are ideal for wrapping lots of foods such as sandwiches, wraps, scones, fruit, or vegetables. You can even make beeswax wrap sandwich pouches for lunch on the go!

6. Make homemade snack packs and save on single-use packaging. You can buy food in bulk and fill with kids preferred snacks. Dried fruits, nuts, seeds, pretzels or even breakfast cereals such as cheerios will make an ideal snack pack. Check out Millbee's video below to learn how you can make a snack pack from beeswax wraps. 

If you would like to try Millbee's beeswax foods wraps to help create a plastic free lunch you can get 10% OFF using the code SCHOOL10 at the checkout. Offer ends 10th September 2022. 

We are delighted to introduce our new lunch pack of beeswax food wraps. This pack includes three large square sizes which are ideal for families or you can rotate your wraps during your week. We have heard many people say they feel guilty using clingfilm for their lunches but it keeps their sandwich fresh! Well, isn't it great we now have a natural and reusable alternative that also keeps your sandwich fresh? Our beeswax wraps are made from organic cotton fabric which is infused with a blend of beeswax, organic jojoba oil and resin. They can last for up to 6 months or longer and have multiple uses. Our lunch sizes are ideal for covering and keeping fresh bowls of your leftover meals of food prepared in advance. I often use this size for wrapping a half soda bread. It seals to itself easily and keeps your sandwich and all its fillings intact. 

Cleaning Your Beeswax Wrap

To clean your wrap wash or rinse with cold water and use a gentle eco-friendly washing detergent. If you use pestos or any other oil-based dressing try to keep in the centre of your sandwich to avoid spoiling your wrap. We suggest washing only if needed so your wrap will last longer.

Easily Wrap Up Or Create A Sandwich Pocket

Check out our 'how to' video below!

We are delighted to have a stall at this year's Savour Kilkenny Food Festival. The festival takes place 22nd - 28th October and we will have a stall in the market this Saturday and Sunday. 

Savour Kilkenny is now one of Ireland’s leading food festivals. The event celebrates local produce and food culture, local artisan products and a vibrant restaurant and café culture which has seen the area become a leading food destination. 

The festival also features the fast-growing brewing and distilling industry locally with a craft beer and spirit tent on the Parade and expert tasting events taking place across the city too.

FOOD WASTE & HOW TO PREVENT IT

Also at the market, you can meet the team of Ireland's National Waste Prevention Programme - FoodWaste.ie and learn how we all can play our part in how we eat, produce and waste food and some of Kilkenny’s Master Composters who have undergone training throughout the year and established a community compost facility.

There will also be workshops, talks and kids events.  For more information and to check out the line-up visit Savour Kilkenny.  If you are visiting, come and say hello and learn about our beeswax food wraps - the natural, reusable alternative to clingfilm.