Grab’n Go food programs

Grab’n Go food programs

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Overview

Grab’n Go programs are school food programs where food is set up in a central location and students can pick it up on their way to class or a common eating area. The spirit of these programs is that any student can choose from a variety of nutritious options, including both packaged and prepared foods. These programs can be suitable for schools with no kitchen facilities, limited time and minimal dedicated staffing.

Suggested meal and snack composition

Meal program

To ensure a variety of nutritious foods are offered, a meal program should ideally offer at least one choice from each of the 3 food categories from Canada’s food guide:

  • Vegetables & fruits
  • Grains
  • Protein foods

Snack program

Snacks can also help students meet their daily nutrient needs. Ideally, a snack offers a choice of two food categories from Canada’s food guide to increase students’ opportunities to have a variety of nutrients. For example:

  • One vegetables & fruits food with one protein food (carrots and hummus)
  • One protein food with one grain food (egg and toast)

Water should be readily available to students at all times. At meals and snacks, schools are encouraged to also offer a beverage that contains at least 25% Daily Value of calcium and is fortified with at least 10% Daily Value for Vitamin D. This can help children and teens meet their daily needs for calcium and vitamin D. Examples include:

  • Plain (unsweetened) milk (0-2% MF)
  • Plain (unsweetened) kefir (0-2% MF)
  • Plain (original) plant-based beverages (e.g., soy, almond, rice)

Examples of Grab’n go food choices

  • Seasonal* Vegetables and fruits such as:
    • Apple
    • Berries
    • Carrots, baby carrots
    • Cucumber, mini-cucumbers
    • Grape tomatoes
    • Nectarine
    • Pear
    • Plum
  • Other vegetables and fruits (banana, oranges, grapes, snap peas…etc.)
  • Canned fruits (packed in juice), fruit cups
  • Fruit sauces (100% fruit with no added sugar, e.g., unsweetened applesauce)
  • Dried vegetables and fruits (100% fruit with no added sugar, e.g., dried apple rings)^
  • Cultural plant foods (e.g., seaweed, native berries and roots)**

*Visit buy BC’s Guide to local, seasonal foods to find out when produce is in season in B.C.
**For examples, see: https://www.fnha.ca/Documents/Traditional_Food_Fact_Sheets.pdf

^ Dried fruit can stick to teeth and cause dental cavities. Therefore if choosing dried fruit, ensure it is served with other foods.

  • Bagels
  • Baked Bannock
  • Bread
  • Bun
  • Chapati
  • English muffins
  • Flatbread
  • Muffins made with whole grains (e.g. oats) or bran, and/or a fruit or vegetable*
  • Naan
  • Pitas
  • Plain breakfast cereal (e.g. flakes of corn/bran, oat o’s, shredded wheat)
  • Plain (non-coated) cereal or granola bars made with whole grains
  • Plain crackers
  • Rice cakes
  • Tortillas wraps
  • Gluten-free products when necessary

* For example, small blueberry bran muffin, oatmeal berry muffin, morning glory muffin

  • Canned fish or seafood
  • Cheese strings
  • Chicken or turkey, cooked, sliced and non-deli
  • Cottage cheese
  • Game (moose, deer, etc.), cooked and sliced*
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Hard cheese (cheddar, mozzarella)
  • Hummus packs
  • Lean beef or pork, cooked, sliced and non-deli
  • Nuts, seeds, nut butters and seed butters**
  • Paneer
  • Roasted edamame
  • Tofu or tempeh, sliced
  • Yogurt or Greek yogurt

*Work with your local Environmental Health Officer
**Dependent on school food allergy policies

For meals: Mix and match to include one food from each of the 3 food categories.
For snacks: Mix and match to include one food from 2 of the 3 food categories when possible.

To learn more about B.C. foods and local food literacy in Feeding Futures, visit B.C. food and local food literacy (Government of B.C.).

Sample 4 week Grab’n Go breakfast plan

Monday

  • Apple
  • Cheese string
  • Whole grain cracker packet
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Tuesday

  • Banana
  • Whole grain bun
  • Hard-boiled egg
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Wednesday

  • Yogurt cup
  • Canned pears
  • Bran flakes
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Thursday

Friday

  • Bagel
  • Seed butter packet
  • Dried apple rings
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Monday

  • Oatmeal berry muffin
  • Pear
  • Cottage cheese
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Tuesday

  • Hard-boiled egg
  • Multigrain bun
  • Grapes
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Wednesday

Thursday

  • Cheese slice
  • Tortilla
  • Grape tomatoes
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Friday

  • Rice cakes
  • Seed butter packets
  • Banana
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Monday

  • Applesauce
  • Cheese string
  • Cereal bar
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Tuesday

  • Cereal cup
  • Banana
  • Yogurt cup
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Wednesday

  • Flatbread
  • Fruit cup
  • Cheese string
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Thursday

  • Blueberry bran muffin
  • Yogurt cup
  • Mini cucumbers
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Friday

  • Cheese slice
  • Whole grain crackers
  • Pear
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Monday

  • Tortilla
  • Nut or seed butter packet
  • Banana
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Tuesday

Wednesday

  • Cheese bun
  • Hard-boiled egg
  • Apples
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Thursday

  • Cheese string
  • Whole grain crackers
  • Plums
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Friday

  • Cottage cheese cup
  • Fruit cup
  • Cereal bar
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Download PDF:

Grab'n Go Breakfast Plan

Sample 4 week Grab’n Go lunch plan

Monday

  • Tuna cup
  • Crackers
  • Orange
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Tuesday

  • Banana
  • Whole grain bun
  • Seed butter packet
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Wednesday

  • Apple
  • Cheese
  • Whole grain bun
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Thursday

  • Pita
  • Hummus packet
  • Mini cucumber
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Friday

  • Bagel
  • Cottage cheese
  • Dried apple rings
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Monday

  • Hummus packet
  • Crackers
  • Grape tomatoes
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Tuesday

  • Hard-boiled egg
  • Multigrain bun
  • Apple
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Wednesday

Thursday

  • Seed butter
  • Tortilla
  • Baby carrot package
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Friday

  • Rice cakes
  • Cheese slice
  • Banana
  • Guacamole package
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Monday

  • Applesauce
  • Cheese bun
  • Hard boiled egg
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Tuesday

  • Tuna cup
  • Tortilla wrap
  • Mini cucumbers
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Wednesday

  • Bagel
  • Seed butter packet
  • Fruit cup
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Thursday

  • Blueberry bran muffin
  • Yogurt cup
  • Mini carrots
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Friday

  • Cheese string
  • Whole grain crackers
  • Snap peas
  • Granola bar
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Monday

  • Tortilla Wrap
  • Nut or seed butter packet
  • Banana
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Tuesday

  • Guacamole packet
  • Crackers
  • Grapes
  • Cheese string
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Wednesday

  • Cheese bun
  • Hard-boiled egg
  • Fruit cup
  • Yogurt
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Thursday

  • Tuna cup
  • Multigrain bun
  • Pear
  • Granola bar
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Friday

  • Hummus
  • Mini carrots
  • Pita
  • Orange
  • Plain milk or fortified alternative

Download PDF:

Grab'n Go Lunch Plan