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Over the years, Juggling Real Food & Real Life has become more than just recipes. It’s a place where real moms (and dads) come to find practical, doable tools that help balance health, flavor, and sanity. One of the things I hear often in my community (and in comments) is: “I want to pack real food, but something always leaks or breaks.”
That’s exactly why I put together a curated list of favorite lunch-packing supplies. These are supplies that survive daily drops, mixed-ins, and the inevitable chaos of kid life. These are tried-and-true tools I (or trusted readers) use with my own kids. They help turn lunch from a chore into (almost) a delight.
My favorite lunch supplies are tried and true after making lunches for 4 kids. You will find Bento boxes, leakproof containers, compartment dividers, and reusable silicone cups. In my recent Back-to-School / Lunchbox Essentials post, I underscore why mastering “gear that works” is just as essential as mastering recipes. You can read the article here.
Below are some favorites you can click through and explore on Amazon (or similar retailers). Use them as a starting point — adapt to your kid’s age, lunch style, and habits.
My go-to lunch packing favorites you can shop now
Real Food Elementary School Starter Kit
1. Main Lunch Container (the core piece): Bentgo Kids or Ziploc (my personal favorite)
- Great for sandwiches, fruits, veggies, and dips — keeps food separated and fresh
- Colorful
- Dishwasher safe
Why it fits Juggling Real Food: Encourages variety and portion balance — easy to fill with real ingredients instead of packaged snacks.
2. Insulated Thermos: OmieBox Food Jar or Thermos Funtainer
- Keeps food warm for 5+ hours
- Variety of patterns available
- Perfect for real-food leftovers: soups, pasta, oatmeal, even scrambled eggs
Why it fits Juggling Real Food: Lets you skip processed cafeteria lunches by sending healthy, homemade warm meals.
3. The Insulated Bag: Packit Freezable Bag (my personal favorite) or Bentgo Bag
- Inexpensive
- Packit bag’s walls freeze overnight — no separate ice packs needed
- Fits Bentgo boxes perfectly; folds flat for freezer storage
Why it fits Juggling Real Food: Real food needs to stay cold — this makes it simple and safe. Buy two. You’ll thank yourself the first time someone leaves it at school.
4. Snack & Side Storage: Stasher or Ello Reusable Silicone Bags (snack + sandwich sizes
- Platinum-grade silicone, reusable, dishwasher safe
- Great for grapes, pretzels, carrot sticks, or frozen smoothies
Why it fits Juggling Real Food: Cuts plastic waste and makes it easy to prep snacks in advance.
5. Utensils & Napkins
- cutlery with travel case
- Add a cute, printed cloth napkin for personality and eco-friendliness
Why it fits Juggling Real Food: Encourages a sustainable routine and replaces disposable lunchroom items.
6. Water Bottle
- Double-walled stainless steel, keeps drinks cold all day
- Choose smaller sizes for kids
Klean Kanteen Insulated Bottle
Why it fits Juggling Real Food: Encourages hydration with reusable bottles instead of juice boxes or single-use plastics.
7. Bonus Supplies:
- Extra variety
- Extra organization
- Mini condiment containers – for dips, hummus, or dressing
- Lunchbox note cards – add encouragement or jokes
- Labels / markers – name everything so it comes home!
Packing real food doesn’t mean perfection — it means progress.
You don’t need a chef’s kitchen or an hour each morning. You just need a few smart tools, a dash of prep, and the willingness to try again tomorrow.
So, grab your coffee, take a deep breath, and get ready to pack lunches that actually come home empty.
Because mama, you’ve got this — one bento box (or Ziploc container) at a time.
