We who pack lunches, whether it be for ourselves, for a spouse or for children, know the importance of keeping those lunches preserved and safe from spoiling before enjoyment.

Lunches and lunch bags are near and dear to my heart. When my children were young, one of my favorite activities of the summer was taking them on a lunch box/bag shopping adventure. As their childhood waned, they reverted to brown bagging, I believe, mainly because there was not the availability of “mature” lunchware like there is today. I bring a snack and a lunch to work each day and I’m easily enticed by the eye-appealing bags we sell at Blackhawk.

Several things can spoil a packaged lunch but two especially come to mind : a too-warm temperature and the squish factor.  I remember

[all too well] opening a child’s lunch bag at the end of the school day to find uneaten grapes that were now showing the ravages of temperature, or a sandwich with soggy bread and filling now mooshed into a new food group. I would not have wanted to eat the lunch either, but I felt disappointed for them and frustrated at my failure to send them with a lunch that they could enjoy.

The lunchware that we sell here addresses the problems of temperature and squishing. We carry a variety of different brands and styles, but, in need of a new lunch bag myself, I investigated using 2 of the new lines for children and adults. They are stylish, innovative and PVC- and BPA-free.

The PackIt™ brand are freezable, personal coolers that come in designs, styles and colors to suit all tastes. The bags are made to fold up nicely and Velcro holds it in the folded up position.

You simply put the whole PackIt™ into the freezer ahead of time. It eliminates the need for an icepack because the bag itself stays chilled for up to 10 hours. They are good for more than work and school lunches, for instance toting baby bottles, taking snacks on outings to the beach, sporting events and more.

Laptop Lunches by Bento™ also come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. The flat styles are easy to slip into a school bag or briefcase. All styles are designed to neatly hold individual, spill-proof, [top rack] dishwasher safe containers for a variety of foods and snacks. We sell the containers separately. The bases are microwaveable which is nice for adults who might have access to a microwave in the workplace. A set of containers has a variety of 4 sizes and some sets have different colors. I adore the baby size – perfect for dip or dressing, or for tucking in a little chocolate with an “I love you” note. Really nice to know….they’re made in the USA!

I see the benefits to both of these lunchware styles. I am drawn to the PackIt because it will keep my fruit and salad chilled. But then again, I am in LOVE with the Bento alien tote…no kidding! Decisions, decisions.

PS. Find these in the Housewares department or see them in our Online Store.

Fact :

According to PackIt™, over a 30-year career, a person can save nearly $100,000 by packing a lunch each day!