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.

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

  • Vegetables and fruits
  • Grains
  • Protein

To increase students’ opportunities to have a variety of nutrients, a snack program ideally offers a choice of 2 out of the following  3 food categories from Canada’s food guide:

  • Vegetables and fruits
  • Grains
  • Proteins

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