Back to School Is Almost Here & I’m Only Thinking About One Thing…
Nine straight months of lunch packing. And if you’re a parent, you probably understand: nothing gives me more stress during the school year than making sure I’m sending my kids with clean and healthy meals that won’t explode in their backpack or contribute to the landfill more than we already have.
Coming up with a variety of nutritious meals that my kids will actually eat is one thing, and having an adequate lunch container for them is another. I’ve tried countless solutions over the years, but they always end up with cracked lids, broken latches, or start to leak worse than the plastic bags… and I’m back to square one.
But last year, I finally found the perfect school lunch container set. (Actually, god bless her, my sister did.) It was no surprise to see the set was made by Caraway—who also makes my favorite cookware in the world. I had such an incredible experience using these for my kids’ lunches that I knew I couldn’t gatekeep this secret for long.
We’ll get to why they’re so great, but first let me clue you in to the brand behind the magic:
Caraway: Revolutionizing the Kitchen Since 2019
Caraway launched in 2019 with their now-famous Cookware Set on the simple idea that cooking should be clean, non-toxic, simple, and enjoyable. Over 65,000 home cooks have given them 4.8 out of 5 stars, and they’ve gotten some big press love from names like Architectural Digest, Oprah Magazine, and Refinery29.
Since then, they’ve expanded with the same high-level quality to the world of bakeware, tea kettles, and (of course) food storage. Everything they make is non-toxic, thoughtfully designed, and looks absolutely gorgeous.
But the reason Caraway resonates with so many people—in my opinion—is that they literally think of everything. In the Cookware Set, for example, things like the magnetic storage rack, the safety bump in the handle, the versatility to make any recipe with just four pieces, and the canvas lid holder set it far above and beyond comparable products. And the Food Storage Set is no different.
The Ultimate School Lunch Storage Set
Caraway’s Food Storage Set comes with two small, two medium, and one large container, plus some incredible added bonuses (aka Caraway thinking of everything, yet again).
For one, they have these modular inserts called “dots and dashes” that nest right into the containers. These are perfect for sauces and dressings I send with my kids—both in keeping them from spilling and keeping the food dry until they’re ready to eat it. (It’s hard enough to get them to eat a salad. It’s downright impossible to get them to eat a soggy one.)
The containers are airtight and they come with straps to ensure nothing pops open in their bag, and they’re spacious without taking up more space than they need to. And this is a big one: the see-through glass lids help me make sure I don’t send my kids with the wrong lunches—which is a disaster I like to avoid at all costs.
But there’s even more to them than that. Here are my top three reasons Caraway’s Food Storage Set should be a must-have for any lunch-packing parent out there trying to juggle functionality, health, and the incessant demands of the pickiest little eaters:
1. Non-Toxic, Non-Stick Coating
This is really what makes Caraway, Caraway. These containers utilize a non-stick, ceramic coating that’s free from PFOA, PTFE, other PFAs, lead, cadmium, and all the other toxic BS we work so hard to keep our kids from.
The lack of toxins means peace of mind, and the effortless non-stick surface means no more scraping stray noodles or spaghetti stains. (Or any stain, for that matter.)
2. Oven-Safe, Microwave-Safe, Dishwasher-Safe, Freezer-Safe
They’re basically everything-safe. Sometimes I’ll prep a casserole right in the container, toss it in the oven, then the fridge, then the lunchbox—and send my kids on their way. Any feature that can cut down on the amount of steps it takes to get them prepared for the day is a big win for me.
They can also theoretically re-heat their lunch in the cafeteria microwave—even though I’m convinced they’re too lazy to do that. Regardless, the food always gets eaten… and when they get home, I just throw the containers right into the dishwasher. Then I’m ready for yet another day of making sure they stay alive.
3. The Classic Caraway Storage Solution
I know I’m not alone in memories of forgetting to pack the school lunch until the morning of, and then somehow miraculously throwing together a beautiful, healthy feast… only to not be able to find anything to put it in. The concept “Tupperware drawer” apparently doesn’t make sense to the rest of my family, because I’m always hunting down the loose pieces or mismatched lids.
But with Caraway, you get this wonderful, magnetic organizer rack that fits right in the cabinet to make storage hassle-free and super-satisfying. So satisfying, in fact, that even my kids like to put them back where they belong. That means I always know where to look come lunch-pack time, and they never leave me hanging.
Caraway Is Saving Me Stress, Worry, and Even Some Leftovers
Having this Food Storage Set at my disposal for lunch packing has been a complete and utter game changer, and I cannot stress this enough. As an added bonus, I feel so much better about all the food and plastic waste my kids aren’t creating. One of my little one’s teachers even complimented her last year on always being so organized.
But seriously, for all my parents out there, don’t let yourself get overwhelmed this fall. Investing in this set will more than likely keep you prepared for any school lunch situation. I would say you could even take some for your lunch, but if your kids are anything like mine, they won’t let you. They’re much too attached.
