Packed lunch facts for kids
A packed lunch is a meal you prepare at home and take with you to eat later. People often call it a "sack lunch" or "brown-bag lunch," especially in North America. It's a popular choice for eating at school, work, or when you're out having fun. Sometimes, you can even buy packed lunches from vending machines or convenience stores, like in Japan.
How People Pack Lunches
People usually wrap their food in plastic, aluminum foil, or paper. Then, they carry it in a paper bag, plastic bag, or a lunchbox.
Lunchboxes made from metal, plastic, or vinyl are very popular. They are strong and can hold heavier meals. Using a reusable lunchbox is also often seen as better for the environment than using disposable bags.
Packed Lunches Around the World
- In Mumbai, India, special workers called dabbawallas pick up freshly made packed lunches, called tiffin boxes, from people's homes. They then deliver these meals to workplaces later in the day.
- In many countries, you can buy packed lunches from stores like supermarkets or bakeries. These often include a sandwich, a drink, and a snack like potato chips or fruit. This is often called a "meal deal," especially in the United Kingdom.
- In Norway, there's a strong tradition of packing a lunch called a matpakke. This started in the 1930s with a free meal program for schoolchildren. A matpakke is usually simple: open-faced sandwiches on wholewheat bread. They are wrapped in wax paper with smaller sheets of wax paper between them. This makes them quick to eat, so Norwegians can use their lunch break to relax.
- In the United States, an informal work meeting where everyone brings their own packed lunch is called a "brown-bag lunch."
One of the earliest ideas of a packed meal comes from the Bible. It mentions the prophet Habakkuk preparing oatmeal and bread in a basket to take to harvesters.
Images for kids
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An American packed lunch, often called a "brown-bag lunch"
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A Japanese bento packed lunch
See also
In Spanish: Matpakke para niños
