Healthy Lunch & Snack Ideas for Your Home-Schooled Kid

 

The holiday season is in full swing now and it is important they you remember that every minute with your family counts. Even when there are times you think that is not the case according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. That is why our Grocerant Guru® invited Olivia Chang from Yumble to be a guest blogger today.  Yumble understands kids and family dynamics we invite you to visit Yumble and think kids, kid’s meals, and fun family time this holiday season.

When your child is home-schooled, it’s essential that you have lots of healthy snacks and lunches that are easy to pull out at a moment’s notice. Busy parents know how important it is to keep a fully stocked fridge so that you don’t have to run out to the grocery store every day. 

If you’re feeling a creative block in the kitchen, we’ve whipped together some simple recipes below. Meal prep is the key to staying sane while you’re homeschooling. Some days call for an easy cold lunch that you can grab quickly and other days, you have more time to relax over a hot meal. Of course, for days when you don’t feel like cooking at all, you can always have healthy kid’s meals delivered!

 Hot Lunch Ideas

 Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowls: Instead of full-blown burritos, these bowls are perfect as a healthy meal option on a day when your kid needs cheering up. Prep the chicken in the morning by putting it in the slow cooker with mild salsa and it’ll be ready by lunch. Cauliflower rice is a healthy substitute for white rice and your kid won’t know the difference. Add all the trimmings your little one craves, from avocado to cheese. 

Baked Potato Bar: A baked potato bar is another perfect lunch option for your hungry kid. It’s simple, easy to cook, and fills them up. Make lunchtime fun for your kids by letting them pick out the toppings for their baked potato. Bacon, cheese, broccoli, sour cream, and chives are just the tip of the iceberg.

 Cold Lunch Ideas

 Hummus and Avocado Bagel Sandwich: Think outside the PB&J with this healthy bagel sandwich both kids and parents will enjoy. Take your child’s favorite bagel and spread a dollop of hummus on one side and a half an avocado on the other. Sprinkle salt and a squeeze of lemon for freshness. You can always add tomato, greens, and cucumber if you so choose.

Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups: If it’s rolled up, it’s likely your kid will find it appealing. The turkey and cheese roll-up is a classic that can’t be beat! You can roll them up on their own, or in a veggie tortilla. Serve with a bit of mustard and a side like carrot sticks or grapes.

 Easy Snack Ideas

 Creamy Fruit Salad: This tasty fruit salad makes for a sweet treat in the morning or afternoon. The best part is that you can use whatever fruit you have on hand and it will be delish no matter what. Mix up a large bowl and save it in the fridge for a couple days worth of snacking.

PB&J Apples: Remember when we said to think outside the PB&J? Here’s a fun twist on a snack that your child will love. You’ve probably tried peanut butter on apple, but you can also add jelly for a deliciously winning combo. You can even use almond butter if that is more to your child’s taste!

Success does leave clues. One clue that time and time again continues to resurface is “the consumer is dynamic not static”.  Regular readers of this blog know that is the common refrain of Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  Our Grocerant Guru® can help your company 253-759-7869.  Are you looking for Kids Meals? Yumble just might be for you.

Grocerants: Why This Business Model Is Taking Over

The way consumers eat is changing. In the modern world, getting food is more convenient thanks to things like mobile ordering apps and meal delivery services such as Yumble. This makes it easier for those who do want to stay in to have a good meal without having to worry about cooking. (Today we have a Guest Blog post provided by Oliva Chang.)

But, according to a recent Nielsen study, Americans are choosing to dine out in greater numbers than ever before. This is one factor contributing to the increasing popularity of grocerants, which are essentially grocery stores offering both shopping and dining options.

This emerging business model offers several major benefits to consumers. Convenience is a major one. Although people are now more interested in dining out than they once were, they still need to buy groceries from time to time. Being able to do both in one location helps them save time. This is very helpful in an age where constant connectivity has resulted in busy lifestyles.

Additionally, statistics indicate traditional restaurant menu prices have been rising, while grocery prices have not. Grocery stores that allow shoppers to purchase items and dine right there in the store may therefore save consumers money.

The following trends help to further explain why and how the grocerant model has become popular in recent years:

Spending Habits

Unlike previous generations, the vast majority of millennials would rather spend money on experiences instead of products. The grocerant model simply caters to their preferences. This trend is likely to continue, given that studies confirm having experiences makes people happier than owning possessions.

Social Media

Social media has given the average consumer greater opportunities than ever to share their opinions on the food they eat. Going to a restaurant or your local grocery store and sharing a picture of a meal (along with a brief review) on Instagram allows anyone to indulge their inner food critic.

Social Awareness

A recent study indicates consumers now prefer to connect with brands that prioritize sustainability. On top of that, the number of farmers markets in the United States has risen substantially in recent years.

Consumers no longer feel satisfied heading to grocery stores to buy products without knowing anything about their origins, the manufacturing process, the supply chain, and various other factors that impact how sustainable a product may be. They’d rather dine at spots where they can learn about how their food reached their plate.

A traditional grocery store typically won’t offer this information, while a grocerant often can and will. It’s also worth noting that dining out can produce less waste than buying groceries, which often use up substantial resources for packaging.

On-Demand Services

It’s clear to see the ways in which on-demand food delivery apps have changed the way consumers eat. Instead of cooking their own meals, people want meals delivered straight to them. A grocerant can offer this service.

These are merely a few reasons people have begun embracing grocerants in record numbers. Traditional grocery stores should take notice. In order to stay competitive, they’ll have to shift their business models to meet changing consumer expectations.

If you would like to be a guest blogger feel free to reach out to the team at www.FoodserviceSolutions.us or Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us

Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant Program Assessment, Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869