Pack Local for Back to School
It’s that time of year again – schools across the province are almost back in session! Whether you’re a student yourself or have a child going back to school, most of us have a lot less time on our hands as summer comes to a close.
Keep reading for some locally-inspired lunch ideas, portable snacks, and quick dinner recipes, because we all know back to school means back to packing lunch bags.
Locally-inspired Sandwiches
Sandwiches are a classic back-to-school lunch option, and for good reason. Not only are they delicious, they’re also healthy, portable, and you can customize your own! Make your homemade sandwich using the following local ingredients to make sure you or your child are getting the freshest lunch possible. Alternatively, try this recipe for Apple BBQ Pulled Pork for a delicious supper and a next day lunch box option.
- Bread
- Boulangerie la Vendéenne, Schoolhouse Gluten-Free Gourmet, The Cake Lady, The Old Apothecary, Noggins Corner Farm Market, or make your own using gluten free Valley Flaxflour.
- Meat
- Cheese
- Condiments
- Produce
Snack Recipes
If you’re looking to meal prep for the school week ahead, try whipping up the following snack options that make for the perfect (and delicious) pick-me-ups.
On-The-Go Healthy Options
Looking for healthy snack options but don’t have a lot of time on your hands? Look no further! Pack some natural yogurt from Fox Hill Cheese House and top it with some Schoolhouse Gluten-Free Gourmet granola. For an even quicker choice, Noggins Corner Farm Market apple chips are both healthy and convenient snacks or make your own nut-free Made With Local bars for school snacks.
Sweet Treats
Lets face it – school can be exhausting. Sometimes students deserve a reward for all the hard work they put into their school work. Packing a sweet treat could be the motivation needed to get through a long day of learning! Try some local sweets from Kitchen Door, Mrs. MacGregor’s Shortbread, Petite Patrie Chocolate, Sable Shortbread, Schoolhouse Gluten-Free Gourmet, Sweet Spot Chocolate Shop, Gourmandises Avenue Choclaterie or The Cake Lady.
An Apple A Day
Every lunch bag should include some form of fresh local produce to make sure you or your child are getting the nutrients needed for a long day at school. Lucky for us, back-to-school means it’s officially apple season! Check out the Taste of Nova Scotia Facebook and Instagram for our “Apple a Day” posts every day in September. We’re featuring various Nova Scotian apple producers, apple recipes, and local apple products perfect for a school snack!
Purchase your local apples from Noggins Corner Farm, Masstown Market, Stirling Fruit Farms, one of the many other Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia or look for Scotian Gold apples at your local Sobeys, Superstore, Walmart or Costco.
Quick Dinners
Back to school usually means back to extracurricular activities. That being said, most parents are looking for dinner options that won’t leave them in the kitchen for hours on end. Kitchen Door offers a variety of fresh and frozen prepared meals using seasonal ingredients & local products, not to mention they’ll deliver right to your door!
For those looking to ease all cooking stress (and avoid the dirty dishes), there are so many incredible local restaurants who are offering takeout. Make sure you check out our Get Your Hands on Local page for updated information on who’s offering takeout near you.