Monthly Fun Lunches
The Dalhousie School Council and Parents Society are excited to bring back fun lunches this year! These lunches are a hit with many of our students, offering them a chance to enjoy a special lunch once a month. This program helps raise a small profit that supports school initiatives through the Dalhousie Parent Society. If you already have an account, you can continue using it. If not, please register using this link: https://healthyhunger.ca
We are also always looking for volunteers to help distribute the lunches at school. Sign up on Sign Up Genius and use the following link
Next Fun Lunches Dates
- September 23, 2026 Subway
- October 7, 2026 Out of Chaos
- October 21, 2026 Wok Box
- November 4, 2026 Jugo Juice
- November 18, 2026 Chachis
- December 2, 2026 The Saucy Bread Co
- December 16, 2026 Panago
- January 6, 2026
- Hayli Kettle Corn connection? (if not Kernels?)
- January 20, 2027 A&W
- February 3, 2027 Jugo Juice
- February 17, 2027 Opa
- March 3, 2027 The Saucy Bread Co
- March 17, 2027 Boston Pizza
- April 7, 2027 Jelly Modern Doughnut
- April 21, 2027 Subway
- May 5, 2027 Jugo Juice
- May 19, 2027 A&W
- June 2, 2027 Out of Chaos
- June 16, 2027 Panago
Home-Packed Lunch Tips for Parents
Lunch is an important part of your child’s day at school. Here are some tips to help you provide a lunch that is safe and nutritious with less waste.
Food Safety
- Keep cold food cold by using an insulated lunch bag and 1-2 ice packs.
- Keep hot food hot by using an insulated container. Preheat your container with boiling water before adding hot food. Microwave ovens are not available for elementary students.
- Pack non-perishables, such as granola bars and whole fruit, that can be kept at room temperature.
- Most CBE schools are nut-aware, please check with your child’s teacher for more information on nut allergies and other allergies in your child’s classroom.
Help Reduce Waste
- Bring a reusable water bottle.
- Pack just enough for a child to eat during lunch.
- Many schools participate in “boomerang lunches” (pack in/pack out), where all leftover items are returned home.
Tip: Pack a sealable bag or container labeled ‘garbage’ for uneaten food or open containers to avoid mess in the lunch bag.
In 2024, ten CBE schools participated in a waste audit conducted by Green Calgary. Here are a few suggestions from the audit to help minimize waste produced by packed lunches:
- Send less selections of food. Younger children have difficulty deciding what to eat when there is a lot of choice and sometimes end up not eating.
- When possible, use reusable containers for foods such as crackers and cut up fruits or vegetables.
Other Tips
- Make sure your child can open all packages by themselves.
- Involve your child in packing their lunch. Children involved in food preparation may be more likely to try new foods and eat what is packed, minimizing food waste.
- Aim to include a food from each food group – lean proteins, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables should be eaten daily (as per Canada’s Food Guide 2019).
- Some items, such as sandwiches, can be made ahead and frozen to save time. Note that some fillings such as fresh vegetables do not freeze well.
- Designate a shelf in the fridge/pantry at home for lunch items. This may help make packing lunches quicker and encourage independence for children packing their own lunches.
References