Kids Sandwhich ideas 

Whether it be white, brown or wholemeal bread, rolls, wrap, pita or mountain bread - the following filling ideas should give you some fresh new fillings for your kids lunches.  Add your own kids favourites, so we as mums get more ideas. See also Kids Recipes for more ideas.  Take note of the safety notes below from NSW Food Authority:

• Cream cheese, chopped celery and sultanas
• Egg boiled, mashed up with mayonaise
• Grated carrot and cheese with mayonnaise [mayo]
• Chopped cooked chicken (must be kept cool) and mayonnaise, with lettuce.
• Grated cheese and chopped celery, or carrot.
• Leftover roast meat with grated carrot, chopped lettuce and chutney or tomato sauce.
• Lean ham, sliced cheese and a pineapple ring [make sure you dry it well].
• Peanut butter and grated carrot. (Peanut butter is a very good food, but some kids are allergic to peanuts. Check with your teacher about whether there is a policy that asks children not to bring peanuts or peanut butter to school.)
• Vegemite, cheese and tomato.
• Take a roll and a banana to eat together.
• Take a roll, a sliced boiled egg wrapped in food-wrap, 

For a bit of variety.... Try different breads, use a cookie cutter, make pinwheels (cut the crusts off two pieces of bread, roll out flat with a rolling pin, then cover with cream cheese and some other filling like ham. Roll each slice into a long tight roll, wrap in cling wrap and put in the freezer for 30 mins.  Unwrap, then cut into pinwheel rounds.

Lunchbox additions:

• Fresh Fruit
• Dried fruit, like raisins, dried cranberries or banana chips
• Nuts like almonds, cashews, or walnuts
• Baby carrots with a small container of vegetable dip
• Crunchy raw green beans with a small container of ranch or french onion dip
• Prepackaged, flavored low-fat yogurt
• Baby muffins - see our recipes
• Jelly's with fruit (made  yourself in advance)
• Hot Thermos filled with noodles (make your own with vegetables - see our recipe)

Young children

Young children are particularly vulnerable from food poisoning. Parents and care-givers can help protect kids by following a few simple guidelines.

The bacteria that cause food poisoning grow between 5C and 60C, this is known as the "temperature danger zone".

Keep your kids lunches safe from foodborne illness with our simple tips on packing the perfect lunch box!

Pack safe lunches

• Use insulated lunch boxes or cooler bags
• Pack a frozen drink bottle (popper) or 'built-in' water bottle or freezer brick inside the lunch box or bag, next to the food that should be kept cold
• Freeze the water bottle half filled, then top up with cold water before school so there's liquid to drink
• If making lunches ahead of time such as the night before, keep them in the fridge until leaving for school
• Ask children to keep packed lunches in a cool, dark place such as a locker and out of direct sunlight and away from heat
• Or pack lunches that don't need to be kept cold, such as sandwiches with spreads like Vegemite™, jam, UHT dairy products, tinned fish products, or whole, uncut fruits and vegetables