WINK SMART: Tips to save money on the packed school lunch this year

Packing school lunches or constantly adding money to lunch accounts can strain family budgets and cause parents a lot of stress, especially as several schools eliminate free lunch programs this year.

Beginning this upcoming school year, 12 schools within the Charlotte County School District no longer qualify for the federally funded program that provides free meals to students while in school.

The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program provides meals for schools and districts in low-income areas and in 2022, Charlotte County school leaders chose to allow the district to participate in the program.

However, updated federal eligibility requirements now has several CCSD schools no longer qualifying for the CEP program.

In the Collier County School District, all schools will still offer free breakfast, but they do not all offer free lunch for students.

Other school districts, like Lee, Hendry, Desoto and Glades will still offer free lunch and breakfast this year.

The changes have many parents wondering whether packing a lunch truly saves money.

WINK Smart Anchor Mayzie Olson ran the numbers for Collier County students, which costs middle and high school students $3 per day for school lunch.

At $15 per week over the course of 36 weeks, Collier County families will spend roughly $540 a year on paying for a school lunch.

However, for parents wanting to pack their own lunches for students, there are a few simple ways to cut costs on their child's lunch.

The first thing parents should start with are opting for reusable containers instead of disposable items like plastic bags, tin foil or paper bags for lunch.

Reusable lunch boxes, snack bags and ice packs can not only save money over time, but many children enjoy picking out their own lunch boxes ahead of a new year.

Before heading to the store, parents should check the refrigerator and in general, stop treating lunch and dinner as separate meals.

Consider using leftovers or unfinished snacks and meals by children as the next day's lunch.

This approach saves money and reduces food waste.

For items close to their expiration date, like bread, cheese or chicken, try throwing it in the freezer.

Consider creating a "lunch box freezer stash" that's ready to heat up on busy mornings, instead of automatically throwing the items away.

When parents do go shopping at the grocery store, buying in bulk can save money versus choosing the single-serve snack packs.

WINK Smart Anchor Mayzie Olson tested this theory at Walmart with Cheez-Its products.

The grab-and-go packages of Cheez-Its cost $14.99 for a 12-ounce box with 12 packs inside.

However, a slightly larger 12.4-ounce box costs only $3.77.

The only difference, besides more product, is that it is not pre-portioned. Of course, it is also a lot cheaper.

Children may often beg parents for the "fun" foods at the store, but families can make homemade lunches seem just as appealing.

Try cutting sandwiches into fun shapes and add colorful foods like seasonal fruits, which are usually cheaper than ones that are not in-season.

Finally, parents are encouraged to rotate lunches throughout the week and even include a handwritten note inside the lunchbox to brighten their child's day.