On Tuesday 9th May, the Green Team is launching NUDE FOOD TUESDAY at Artarmon Public School! Every Tuesday, students will be encouraged to bring food without single use packaging.

On that day, students in Year 3 to 6 who come to school with a lunchbox that has no disposable/single use packaging (like zip-lock bags and chip packets) will contribute to their class winning the fortnightly Green Class Award. At the end of the term, the Year 3 to 6 class with the most nude lunches on Tuesdays will win a special movie lunch hosted by the Green Team!

What is Nude Food?

Simply put, it’s food without excess packaging. Usually, this means food that is not processed, often making it a healthier and more environmentally friendly option.

Why?

Reducing packaging has important environmental benefits. Waste, particularly single use plastic, is a huge problem for schools. By encouraging unpackaged food, there is less litter, making for a cleaner and healthier school environment. Less waste is sent to landfill. It also encourages better food and drink choices, as many healthy food options come with their own packaging!

Top tips

If you’ve never packed a ‘nude food’ lunchbox before, here are 7 tips:

1. Lunchboxes with inside compartments work best, as it stops food from getting mixed up together in your child’s school bag. Another option is a lunch bag filled with smaller containers for lunch, recess and crunch n sip.
2. Instead of buying fun-size packets of chips and biscuits, buy snack foods like popcorn in bulk and send portions in reusable containers each day. You’ll spend less money this way too!
3. Swap single-packet snacks with whole foods like fruit and vegetables. Not a fan of chopping in the morning? Berries, grapes, baby cucumbers and cherry tomatoes are super easy to pack in the morning rush.
4. Replace cling film with reusable options like beeswax wraps. If you don’t have any, pack your child’s sandwich in a smaller container to keep the freshness in.
5. Bake some easy muffins at the end of the weekend and freeze them for the week ahead. Then simply pop them in your child’s lunchbox and they’ll thaw in time for recess or lunch. You don’t even need to use patty pans if you spray the muffin tin with a bit of oil before pouring the batter in.
6. Not a baker? A good hack is to swap packaged muesli bars for some trail mix, dried fruit or even a handful of your child’s favourite cereal container.
7. Packing a hot lunch or salad? Don’t forget to pack some reusable cutlery too! You can even do this for your child if they have a lunch order – just make sure to label everything with their name and reject the single use option from the canteen.
8. Finally, don’t forget a refillable water bottle!

We look forward to extending this initiative to Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 in Term 3. 

We can’t wait to see all the amazing NUDE FOOD lunchboxes starting TUESDAY!

Kind Regards

Green Team