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Home » Discover

This Mom Packed 7,130 School Lunches (and Her Ideas Are Genius)

By Laura Fuentes Updated Aug 18, 2025

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Every year around this time, I take inventory of the chaos:
Lunchboxes. Thermoses. Backpacks. Supplies.
(And that one mystery container that still smells weird even after bleach spray)

As I was scrubbing out one of those forgotten lunch bags this week, I turned to my husband and asked:

"How many lunches do you think I've packed over the years?"

Our kids are now in college, 12th grade, and 8th grade.

He did the math and said:

"Counting preschool? Over 7,000. At least."

That's more than 7,130 packed lunches since our first went off to school.

And yes, I'm still doing it.

And yes, I still forget the ice pack sometimes.

Since 2012, I've been sharing packed lunch ideas online-on my sites, in videos, on social media, and in cookbooks.

I've tested everything over the years… what works, what gets left behind, and what actually makes life easier for real parents.

And now? You can find the best of the best in one place.

Can’t wait to get started? Here are a few favorites organized by grade.

  • eight images of lunch ideas for kindergarten age kids
    Lunch Ideas for Kindergarten
  • an image collage of six simple school lunch ideas
    Simple School Lunch Ideas
  • collage of middle school lunches
    Middle School Lunch Ideas
  • a collage of healthy school lunch ideas for teens
    Healthy School Lunch Ideas for Teens

Need more? I’ve got 101 School Lunches to last you until college! Grab my best-selling ebook below.

Stop Wondering What to Pack. 

Pack lunches your kids will actually eat with 101 lunch ideas, practical packing tips, a complete Thermos Lunch Guide, and my Pack Meals Like a Pro bonus.

101 packed lunches on an ipad with a lunch packing tips ebook on an iphone
Grab a Copy!
by Laura Fuentes
onAugust 18, 2025

If you enjoyed the article, please share it with others. Thank you!

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Laura Fuentes holding a stack of lunchboxes and a school lunch bag

My name is Laura Fuentes
I’m here to help you simplify school lunches with fresh ideas your kids will actually eat.

Mom of 3. Certified in Integrative Nutrition. 5x Cookbook Author.

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