Lunchables — a longtime popular snack option for American children — will soon be even more accessible.
Kraft Heinz announced on March 14 that Lunchables will be available for purchase in schools, either directly by the children or through free lunch programs.
Lunchables were launched in 1989 and swiftly conquered the market by offering several tiny cheese and meat slices that can be stacked atop crackers or mini pizza crusts. As an added bonus, these can be used to build anything from edible rockets to bulldozers.
Through this new initiative, schools will have the option to purchase two different Lunchables for the 2023-2024 school year: Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stacker and Extra Cheesy Pizza.
These two options have been adapted to meet the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) guidelines, as Jenna Thornton, a spokesperson for Kraft Heinz, told NBC News. The new specialized recipe includes “more protein and whole grains,” lower levels of “saturated fat and sodium,” and a heartier serving size.
Nutritional information was provided on a promotional flyer for the two Lunchables. According to the flyer, the Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stacker comes in a 3.5-ounce container and includes 2-ounce equivalents of meat/meat alternatives and a 1-ounce equivalent of grain. The Extra Cheesy Pizza is in a 5.05-ounce container and also includes 2-ounce equivalents of meat/meat alternatives, 2-ounce equivalents of grain, and 1/8 cup of red/orange vegetables.
Schools will be able to buy Lunchables in bulk to offer to students, but their exact prices have not yet been disclosed by Kraft Heinz. At Walmart, one pack of the original Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stacker sells for $1.82.
Since its inception in 1946, the NSLP uses federal funds to offer low-cost or free meals to children attending public and non-profit private schools, as well as residential childcare institutions. In 2016, 30.4 million children benefited from the program.
For some children, that one school lunch is the only meal they can rely on. One in eight children in the United States is at risk of going hungry, according to Feeding America, a nonprofit. Hunger can have widespread effects on children, making them more prone to various health conditions and more likely to struggle in school.