How to Green Your Kid's School, Part 2

This is the second in a series to look at American children's education and its relationship to your family's health and the green movement.

Wanna green your kids lunch, help save the planet, and save a few bucks, too? It’s easy, here’s how:

Pack your kid’s school lunch.

I don't mean you have to pack it yourself to be green - in future installments we'll explore the sometimes brutally frustrating "change the system" approach. But for today, we're headed for the cupboard and loadin' up junior's backpack - because for most of us, packing our children's lunch is a great way to keep track of what's passing their lips, and what's not passing their lips - plus it's an equally important vehicle for voting with your dollars for the type of world you want.

And I should know, I'm a school lunch expert. Here's why:

1. I have three school-age kids in public schools and I've packed over 1,800 lunches so far (Jeez that sounds sad...well there's always a job waiting for me at Subway...)


2. Food is a huge part of our impact on the environment, and the environment's impact on us, so school lunches take up a whole chapter in my upcoming book Green Kids, Sage Families (Jan. 2009 Penguin), so I am the lunch lady!

So here's my take on some of the most powerful ideas to get your green on before the school bus pulls up:

Go Veggie
We could go the way of Sir Paul McCartney who as a strict vegetarian is urging his countrymen to opt for Meat Free Monday, but come on! We can beat those Brits--let's go meat-free everyday. It's way easy on the wallet, significantly reduces our carbon footprint, and is most likely a healthier choice for our kids.

For a great twist on the easy on the wallet and slaughterhouse-free fav Peanut Butter, check out this great vegan recipe from Chooseveg.

Reuse the Wrappers
Oh the number of evil lead-laden character lunchboxes I've bought, my kids have used (and abused) and I have dumped in the trash, because we just couldn't peel that - whatever-it-was - off the zipper. Bleech!

Now we use the soft organic cotton lunch tote from my friend Sharon Rowe, queen of the reusable shopping bags. It can be laundered, too. And with a couple of non-toxic fabric markers, it's an original piece of art.

The Wrap-n-Mat is the work of a frustrated mom who was concerned with her plastic bag use. Frankly, it's greatest thing since, well sliced bread, (and it hold sliced bread pretty well, too) and you'll never ever need another comes-from-petroleum sandwich bag. Natch, you'll want to choose the PVC-free.

Choose Natural Snacks
Remember, it's not sustainable if your kids don't eat it. A recent Swedish study found 50% of food that's produced is thrown away. Try to get your kids to invest some thought to what might get them through the day. And occasionally splurging some calories on a treat like a chocolate chip cookie or brownie won't do too much damage, especially if it's organic. Check out Nell Newman's additions to her dad's great line Newman's Own. With offerings like Newman's O's they are completely natural - even organic. And your kids will love - added benefit? You're making the day better for other kids, too. 100% of the profits from Newman's Own goes to non-profit charities, many of which benefit kids in need.

For more on ideas greening your kids school experience check out:
How to Go Green: Back to School
Raising Green Kids: How to Green Your Kid's School, Part 1

Lynda Fassa is Planet Green's babies and family expert. She's the founder of Green Babies organic cotton baby clothes and the author of Green Babies, Sage Moms: The Ultimate Guide to Raising Your Organic Baby, and the forthcoming Green Kids, Sage Families: The Ultimate Guide to Raising Your Organic Family, both from Penguin NAL. Read her previous posts here. Green Babies is a registered trademark of Green Babies Inc.

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