What to pack for Crunch&Sip

Get ready for Crunch&Sip® by packing ready-to-eat vegetables or fruit and plain water. Discover easy tips and ideas to help children enjoy healthy snacks at school.

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What is Crunch&Sip®

Crunch&Sip® is a set time in the school day where children eat vegetables or fruit and drink water.

Eating vegetables and fruit each day helps children learn and build healthy habits. Children who eat well are more likely to:

stay focused and remember what they learn
achieve better results at school
maintain positive mental health.

In NSW, Crunch&Sip® is delivered as part of the free Live Life Well @ School program.

What you need to do

Send your child to school with a bottle of plain water and some ready-to-eat vegetables or fruit.

Water is the best drink to keep children hydrated and tap water has added fluoride to help protect teeth.

Here are some ideas for vegetables and fruits you can pack:

Whole pieces of vegetables or fruits

Baby cucumbers

Snow peas

Cherry tomatoes

Mushrooms (tinned or fresh)

Berries

Grapes

Banana

Mandarin

Apple

Bite-sized pieces of vegetables or fruits

Broccoli or cauliflower florets

Carrot sticks

Celery or capsicum sticks

Chopped melon or pineapple

Frozen or canned options

Frozen berries

Canned vegetables with no added salt, for example baby corn or beans, drained

Fruit in natural juice, for example, diced peaches

Why only vegetables and fruit?

Crunch&Sip® helps children meet the recommended daily intake of vegetables and fruit.

Other foods, such as popcorn or yoghurt, can be eaten at recess or lunch. Find healthy lunchbox ideas for your whole family.

Helpful tips for Crunch&Sip®

Here are some ideas for making it quicker and easier to pack Crunch&Sip® for your family.

Plan ahead and save time

Prepare Crunch&Sip® food for the week in one session or when preparing dinner the night before.

Try a variety of vegetables and fruit

You can use Crunch&Sip® to encourage your child to try new vegetables and fruit.

Try offering a mix of fresh, frozen or canned vegetables or fruit in natural juice or a fruit salad.

Get kids involved

Children are more likely to try food they choose or help prepare. Encourage your child to:

choose their own vegetables or fruit
help prepare their Crunch&Sip® snack
pack their own lunchbox.

Find more tips for involving kids in the kitchen.

Keep school lunchboxes food safe

Wash and prepare vegetables and fruit so they are ready to eat.

Cut food into small, safe pieces if needed.

Store prepared food in an airtight container in the fridge.

Learn more about how to store food safely.  

Support for your child

Speak with your child’s teacher if your child needs extra support to participate.

Schools may restrict certain foods to protect students with severe allergies. Check with your child’s school if you are unsure.

Find out more about healthy lifestyle programs for primary schools to support teaching and learning about healthy eating and physical activity.

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