Back-to-school season sneaks up fast. Between new shoes, supplies, and after-school activities, your grocery bill can climb higher than expected. But packing healthy, fun lunches for your kids doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Here’s how to keep their lunchboxes full and your costs low.
1. Shop Smart Across Stores
Chasing deals in flyers takes time you don’t have. Instead, send your grocery list to Gofer. The app compares your entire cart across local stores and shows you where you’ll save the most. No more guessing if cheese is cheaper at Walmart or No Frills this week, gofer does the work; you keep the savings.
2. Pack Mix-and-Match Staples
Think of your cart as a set of building blocks. Instead of buying “one-off” items, stock up on versatile staples:
- Whole wheat wraps (use for sandwiches, pinwheels, or quesadillas)
- Mini cucumbers or baby carrots (easy to pack, no prep)
- Cheese strings or block cheese (slice it yourself for extra savings)
- Yogurt tubs (buy larger containers instead of single-serve, portion out at home)
- Apples, bananas, pears (kid-approved and budget-friendly)
3. DIY Snacks vs. Pre-Packaged
Single-serve snacks look convenient, but the markup is huge. A box of granola bars might cost $3.99 for 5, but you can bake 12 homemade oatmeal bars for less than half that. Same goes for trail mix, buy in bulk, then portion into small containers.
4. Buy in Bulk, Share the Load
If warehouse packs feel like “too much,” split with a friend or family member. Things like juice boxes, crackers, and cheese sticks last for weeks and cost significantly less when bought in larger packs.
5. Plan for the Week Ahead
Take 15 minutes on Sunday to prep. Wash fruit, cut veggies, and pre-pack a few grab-and-go containers. Not only does it save weekday stress, but it also helps reduce food waste (and that’s money saved too).
The Bottom line:
School lunches don’t have to be expensive or stressful. A few smart swaps and tools like Gofer help you save while keeping your kids’ lunches fresh and fun.
👉 Ready to see how much your back-to-school groceries could cost less?
Try Gofer on your next grocery run