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.
Even though this program might trump a soda/candy lunch, I have my reservations on its ultimate ‘real health’ nutritional value.
For example: If one gets a “pepperoni”, then they will be consuming sodium nitrate.
While sodium or potassium nitrate can be used to make gunpowder, I doubt if humans were designed to eat it.
Great! Processed fake food loaded with preservatives. Welcome to cancer and heart disease. Go back to basics, real meat that is not processed, fruits, vegetables, and true whole grains.
The school lunch program will never be a “cook from scratch,” natural home-made style food program. I am happy about the idea of lunchables in schools. I think the lunchables meals might have less additives and more fresh, nutritious ingredients than some of the current food offered now. I think it’s an improvement for Kraft to provide nutritious fresh foods that were factory-packaged in highly controlled hygienic environment. No heating will be necessary. The taste will almost certainly be an improvement from many current school lunches. Now, if we can get more protein and less sugar in school breakfasts, I will truly be delighted!
And let’s not forget it’s a money-maker for Kraft, as well. If you think for one minute that they’re doing it for the welfare of the children, you best go back to school. And they’ll probably charge the schools a pretty penny for them. They’re not going to take a loss. The bigger question is, why are parents not providing food for their children? They can’t afford the $1.82 at Walmart? They can’t buy a bag of cereal and milk…cuz there’s breakfast for days. It’s shameful that so many parents don’t take care of their children. And it’s a snowball effect, and the next generation just gets worse because a good example was never set.
You are correct to express dismay. These are not healthy for an educated consumer unless you are comparing them to fiery Cheetos washed down with a Big Red. Grains loaded with pesticides, meats that are not meat, foods with red dyes… all made available for parents who value things other than feeding their children, who are in turn, trying to live despite neglect and a medical assault of a 72 injection childhood vaccine schedule. Slow murder.
And we give money to almost every country in the world according to USAID website
Boy Howdy , junk food is all the rage
Processed food is not healthy. Especially cheese and sandwich meat.