Back to school time is finally here! If you have kids, I’m sure you are quite familiar with the drill….school clothes, school supplies, backpacks, lunchboxes, and figuring out the crazy new schedule of sports and other after school activities…it can be quite overwhelming at times. If you are a parent of a gluten-free child you are also probably contemplating what you are going to send with your child for lunch. School lunches pose some difficult challenges. What packs well? What will they actually eat? What will not make them feel "different" from the other kids? What we parents may perceive as a delicious, well-balanced lunch box may seem boring, weird or strange tasting to kids….especially when gluten-free products get thrown into the bag. The challenge is to create lunches that are not only nutritious, balanced but also palatable and desirable. Fortunately, these days, most schools have microwaves in the cafeteria. This makes things much easier for the school lunch dilemma. Things like spaghetti, mac-n-cheese, hot dogs, soups, leftovers and so forth can be sent with your child to school and can be easily popped into the microwave for a delicious lunch.

Each year at Glutenfreeda.com we have historically brought you a month long calendar of gluten-free lunch menus to give you a bunch of ideas to help you through the school year. Typically, our menus have featured a selection of recipes from the Glutenfreeeda.com archives, however this year we are going to do something a little different. Since there are so many new gluten-free products on the market which offer the added convenience that we Celiac’s once thought was lost, this year’s back to school menu includes great ideas for readily available gluten-free products on the market in addition to several great gluten free kid-friendly recipes. As you go through the calendar, if you would like more information on a product or company, simply click the product link. Perhaps with this menu you and your kids will discover new, great tasting gluten-free recipes and products that will become lunch-time favorites! We hope you have a great school year!

Week 1:

Week 2:

Week 3:

Week 4:

Congratulations Mom or Dad, you've survived the first month! Put your feet up, enjoy the silence and have yourself a cup of coffee and a delicious treat like Pamela's Biscotti.

- Chef Jessica