My daughter starts first grade tomorrow. No clue how that happened. Time really does fly. In an effort to be both organized and conscience of the environment, I am going with reusable containers for her school lunches. I am sharing those with you today as well as an amazing website that I stumbled upon. Riley’s lunch box is the retro lunch bag from Pottery Barn Kids. She picked out the polka dots! 
First up is this nifty little container I picked up from Target. Made by aladdin, It’s BPA free and a perfect size for a half sandwich, salad, fruit, or even pasta. 
I especially like it because a little ice pack snaps into the lid to keep items cold. 
I bought these from Amazon.com after seeing them over at I Heart Organizing. These Ball Plastic Freezer Jars are freezer and dishwasher safe and they are BPA free. I also love that the stack really nicely and the lids {when not in use} snap together in a tower. My plan is to fill them up with fruit or dry snacks on Sunday evening so that I can pop one or two into her lunch bag each morning. Both kiddos took them for a test drive during soccer camp week and they worked out great. And in case you are interested, they arrived within just a couple days of ordering them. 
And I leave you with one of my favorite new finds. I seriously was doing the happy dance when I stumbled upon Family Fresh Cooking. First of all, the blog is AMAZING. The photography alone is beyond stunning. But the food and the whole theory behind offering your family fresh and non-processed foods is very appealing to me. I am determined to make every effort to pack healthy lunches for my daughter. In doing so I need all the help I can get. This blog has an awesome “Project Lunch Box” program where she offers fantastic tips and lunch ideas for you to print out. It really is a must see if you are a mama packing lunches. Very inspiring. 
via family fresh cooking {project lunchbox} 
………. And to our daughter starting first grade tomorrow, you amaze us every day with your bright smile, creative mind, empathetic heart and zest for life. Be who you are and hold your head up high. Know that mommy and daddy will always be behind you to cheer you on and to reassure you when you fall. We love you. Go get ‘em! love, mommy & daddy
I just cannot believe how time flies. I still have her baby picture on my desk. I can't wait to hear the stories.
My son started 1st grade this year too and I happened upon a great site for lunchbox ideas via Pinterest. I talk about it in this post: http://styleoyster.blogspot.com/2012/08/friday-fab-five.html xoxo!
I want her packed lunches!! 🙂 such a sweet sweet post!! I hope she has a great year!
I will definitely have to check out all the plastic containers! I like the ones that keep things cool. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for posting this. My daughter starts first grade tomorrow too and packing lunches is a new thing for us. I am definitely going to check out that blog and I like the Target container too. Great ideas!
I have those same containers from Target – I bought 2 sizes – love them! Off to check out her blog – I pack my kids lunch everyday.
Oooh, I definitely need to go get that target container! That little snap in ice pack is genius. My son starts first grade tomorrow too and he's so excited! {sigh} Big kid stuff 🙂
I love all the tips, if only I checked your blog before I went to Target this morning:). Good luck to Riley tomorrow…my daughter starts preschool next week, so I still have time to get organized!
Oh so sweet about little miss Riley and first grade! How do they get big so *FAST*??? And this post couldn't have come at a better time, it's like you're a mind reader…I am so stuck on what to do for lunches for the little guy!!! I need all the inspiration I can get! Enter Courtney and her brilliance once again (c; So picking up those ball containers.
thanks for the tips. I've been using that container with the snap in ice pack the last few years and it has worked out great. I think I'll be running to my local ACE hardware for those Ball containers (lucky for me I can grab them off the shelf!!) can't wait to check out that blog. I could use some lunch ideas.
Hope she has a great day! I miss packing lunches, however I did just mail a box of non-persishable favorites to her this morning! She is missing Whole Foods big time!!! LOL
Courtney,
Who is the manufacturer of the cold pack. I went to 2 Targets and they had none.
I really love that first container with the little ice pack that snaps in. Very nice! I'll have to grab some of those. Another good use for the little Ball freezer jars is to freeze smoothies in them. They thaw out in time for lunch and are super handy!
Such great tips! That container with the ice pack is perfect. I want that for my lunches 🙂 Happy first day, Riley!
What a sweet post. I love the polka dots!
Oh what a big day for Riley. I bet she is excited! You, too! That is one fun lunch box she picked out. Polka dots always make me happy.
I am going to get these so that I have them for next year when my daughter starts 1t grade. She is in a part time Kinder right now, so no need to pack a lot of food for her. Thank you for sharing
I saw a great idea on Pinterest that popped into my mind after reading your post! You place a chalkboard label on your ckild's sandwich box so that you can write a cute note to them each day! Adorable!
I swear if I could only offer a parent who packs lunches one piece of advice it would be ONLY buy stackable containers!!
I just bought the Ball plastic lidded containers at Wal-Mart in the canning section.
Off to check out that blog, I have been hoarding lunch box ideas like crazy. Your first grader looks so cute and happy, glad to hear she is loving school.