Nostalgic Lunchbox Treats

Do you remember the days when the lunch bell rang, signaling the excitement of discovering the treasures hidden in your lunch box? Join me as I take a trip down memory lane, revisiting some items—some I’d rather forget—and the iconic snacks and treats that fueled my childhood adventures and satisfied my youthful cravings.

Growing up, I preferred school-provided lunches because I was eligible for the free lunch program. We had Gonio’s Pizza Day every Friday in elementary school, and I think it was everyone’s favorite. Having lunch at 10:45 a.m. with only milk or orange juice as drink options felt a bit strange, but I still enjoyed it. Today, I believe finances are probably the deciding factor for most families when choosing between school lunches and packed lunches.

If I could create one school lunch item from scratch, it would be frozen graham crackers, peanut butter, and jelly bars. The ultimate school lunch menu would include those bars, low-quality canned cheese nachos, and chocolate milk.

To ensure a well-balanced and nutritious meal, it’s important to cover all the key food groups: fresh fruits and veggies, good protein, and some complex carbs. For kids, fun packaging makes them more likely to eat it.

I’d love to see sushi, rice, a soft-boiled egg, some exotic fruit, and seaweed salad for a dinner box.

Even though we’ve traded our lunch boxes for grown-up alternatives and our tastes have evolved, the nostalgia of those beloved treats still reminds us of the innocence and delight of youth. I hope you can find some classic favorites and discover new tempting treats every time you visit The Kentridge Senior Living Bistro or Country Kitchen and that you never stop making culinary memories.