NATIONAL PACK YOUR LUNCH DAY
National Pack Your Lunch Day on March 10th encourages everyone across the country to take their lunch to work, school, or wherever they’re spending the day. It’s an opportunity to revitalize lunchtime with fresh and healthful meal choices.
#PackYourLunchDay
Packing your lunch has benefits you may not expect. One of the immediate benefits is savings. Many home-prepared lunches cost less than ordering off the take-out menu or eating out. Another benefit of making your own lunch is controlling portion sizes and ingredients. By adding fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your lunches, they will be healthier, too.
- Mickey Mouse was the first licensed character to appear on a lunchbox in 1935.
- The 1950 Hopalong Cassidy lunchbox was the first lunchbox based on a television show.
While some foods pack well for lunch, others don’t fare so well. If you’re new to packing lunches, check out this starter list:
- Hardboiled egg – provides a serving of protein
- peeled and placed in a separate container
- Fresh vegetables – choose a dipping sauce like ranch or balsamic vinegar
- carrots sticks, celery sticks, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes
- Whole fruit – apple, orange, banana, grapes, berries
- Yogurt – provides a serving of dairy
- Salad – prepared with deli meats of your choosing
- place dressing in a separate container
- Cheese
- Crackers
- Nuts
You will want to include a gel pack to keep your food chilled until lunchtime, even if you’re reheating leftovers.
HOW TO OBSERVE PACK YOUR LUNCH DAY
- Make a plan and a shopping list to begin taking more lunches.
- Bring a packed lunch to work, school or a friend’s house.
- Share your lunch-packing tips.
- Create a lunch menu to help with your shopping week to week.
- Try something new in your lunchbox.
- Use #PackYourLunchDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL PACK YOUR LUNCH DAY HISTORY
Our research was unable to find the creator or origin of National Pack Your Lunch Day. We did find that this day is also celebrated by some on other days throughout the year.
Pack Your Lunch FAQ
Q. How far in advance can I prepare cold lunches?
A. It will depend on what you’re preparing. Leafy lettuce salads will stay fresh for up to a week if properly layered.
Q. How far in advance can I prepare soup lunches?
A. Soups have great potential for advanced preparation. Prepare soup lunches in individually sealed and freezer-safe containers. Then freeze and add to your lunch rotation.
March 10th Celebrated History
1876
The ringtone has changed tremendously since Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call. The greetings have, too. Bell connected to Thomas Watson, his assistant, and said, “Mr. Watson, come here; I want you.” It’s a good thing Watson didn’t ignore his call.
1913
The civil rights activist, Harriet Tubman, dies of pneumonia. She had earned the nickname “Moses” for her role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. During the American Civil War, Tubman volunteered as a cook and nurse but quickly became a scout and spy for the Union. In this role, she freed hundreds of more slaves. Upon her death was buried with military honors at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn.
1918
Warner Brothers enters the film industry with its first film Four Years in Germany.
1982
All nine planets aligned on the same side of the sun within 98 degrees. When celestial bodies align on the same path it’s called a syzygy.
March 10th Celebrated Birthdays
Lillian Wald – 1867
Recognizing the need for improved living conditions and better health care in the Lower East Side neighborhood of New York, Lillian Wald founded the Henry Street Settlement in 1893. As a nurse, she dedicated her career to improving public health and providing social services.
Alfred Peet – 1920
Before there were gourmet coffee shops on every corner, there was Alfred Peet. He opened his first coffee store in 1966 in Berkeley, California. He thought Americans drank lousy coffee and set out to change that.
Chuck Norris – 1940
Chuck Norris doesn’t #Celebrate Every Day. Every day celebrates Chuck Norris.
Laurel Blair Salton Clark – 1961
Space Shuttle Columbia mission specialist and NASA astronaut, medical Dr. Laurel Blair Clark was one of seven who died aboard the flight on February 1, 2003.
Shannon Miller – 1977
Gymnast Shannon Miller is a 7-time Olympic medal winner. She competed at the 1992 Barcelona Games and the 1996 Atlanta Games bringing home a total of two gold, two silver, and three bronze medals.
Notable Mentions
Hallie Quinn Brown – 1850
Judith Jones – 1924
James Earl Ray – 1928
Barbara Corcoran – 1949
Sharon Stone – 1958
Jasmine Guy – 1964