Shop smarter this school year with lunch-prep finds and grocery deals

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Shop smarter this school year with lunch-prep finds and grocery deals

Reset your kitchen routine for fall with lunch-prep essentials, smart grocery shopping hacks, meal kit deals and more

Trisha EastoUSA TODAY
Updated Aug. 6, 2026, 2:29 p.m. ET

• The back-to-school season brings challenges like managing schedules and packing daily lunches.
• Smart products, such as meal-prep containers and bento boxes, can help simplify busy mornings.
• Warehouse club memberships can offer significant savings on bulk lunchbox staples and snacks.
• Meal kit delivery services and online grocery pickup are additional ways to save money and time.

Getting back into your back-to-school routine means managing sleep schedules and packing lunches. It also means setting alarms you ignored all summer, sitting in the school drop-off line and somehow coming up with 180 different lunches that don’t include the same PB&J every single day

The good news is a few smart products can make those busy mornings a little easier. From meal-prep containers and lunch boxes to grocery memberships and easy lunch ideas, we’ve rounded up the best back-to-school finds to help simplify your routine this fall

5 lunch-prep essentials under $30

5-Pack Stand-Up Reusable Bags
Reduce your single-use plastics with washable sandwich and snack bags for your lunch prep. Shop now at Amazon

Fruit Storage Containers for Fridge with Removable Colander
Don’t waste your fruit! Try these fruit storage containers to keep fruit fresh longer for healthier snacks and lunchtime meal prep. Shop now at Amazon

21-Day Portion Control Container Kit, 14-Piece
Prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner in advance while controlling your portion size. Shop now at Amazon

Healthy Packers Ice Packs for Lunch Boxes & Coolers
These freezer packs are easily reusable, ideal for lunch bag trips and can be used daily. Fill one time and put it in the freezer the night before each use for long-lasting, effortless travel with these premium lunch box ice packs. Shop now at Amazon

36-Pack Silicone Cups to use as lunch Bento Box Dividers
Vibrant colors and different shapes silicone cupcake cups brighten kids’ bento boxes, separating their snacks and lunch options. Shop now at Amazon

How to save money on groceries this fall

As fall schedules get busier, it’s easy to spend more than expected on takeout, last-minute grocery runs and impulse purchases. My back-to-school shopping isn’t quite done until I’ve run out to stock up on all of our lunch must-haves, from Lunchables to bags of chips and more snacks

Take advantage of warehouse club memberships

Retailers such as Sam’s Club, Costco and BJ’s often offer significant savings on items families buy repeatedly, including proteins, frozen foods, beverages and lunchbox staples. Save on your membership with the below offers:

Sam’s Club Membership
After raising membership fees in May, Sam’s Club is offering a limited-time deal that cuts the cost to $25 for new members. Sign up for Sam’s Club for $25

Here’s a few of my Sam’s Club must-haves for back-to-school lunches:

• This 6-pack of Lunchables is 31% cheaper at Sam’s Club than it is at Walmart and Target.
• Sam’s Club’s 50-pack box of chips is only $18.98, which is 37% cheaper than Walmart and 39% cheaper than Target.
• Stocking up on Capri Suns is less than $10 for 40 at Sam’s Club, giving you savings of 28% compared to Walmart and 39% compared to Target.

Groupon deal: One-year Costco membership
Take advantage of this Groupon offer on Costco memberships. Join now to get a Shop Card to use on future purchases at Costco. Join Costco and get up to $40 back

Groupon deal: One-year BJ’s membership
Get a one-year BJ’s membership for just $30 and shop bulk groceries, household essentials and more—all while saving big. Become a BJ’s Wholesale Club member

Try a meal kit delivery service

Meal kits can seem like a splurge, but they often cost less than restaurant takeout and can help reduce food waste by delivering pre-portioned ingredients. Here are some popular meal kit delivery services that families love:

HelloFresh Meal Kit Deliveries
New HelloFresh subscribers can receive 10 free meals plus a free mini Caraway Fry Pan valued at $115 with this limited-time offer. Sign up for HelloFresh

Factor Meal Kit Deliveries
Don’t miss this chance to score 50% off your first delivery and free greens when you sign up with our exclusive Factor meal kit delivery offer! Sign up for Factor

Home Chef
Save on healthy meal deliveries with a Home Chef subscription. Sign up for Home Chef

Green Chef Meal Kit Deliveries
Don’t miss this chance to score 50% off your first delivery and 20% off your 2nd & 3rd boxes when you sign up with our exclusive Green Chef meal kit delivery offer! Sign up for Green Chef

EveryPlate Meal Kit Deliveries
Simplify your week with easy-to-prep meals and fresh ingredients, delivered for a price that fits into your busy, real-world routine. Sign up for EveryPlate

Use grocery pickup instead of shopping in-store

Ordering groceries online for pickup can help avoid impulse purchases and make it easier to stick to a weekly budget

Walmart+ membership
Sign up for a Walmart+ membership to save more and get exclusive access to the Walmart Deals shopping event and perks. Join Walmart+ at 50% off

Target Circle
Join Target Circle today and enjoy a host of benefits and savings. Join Target Circle

Try grocery delivery on Instacart
Join Instacart today and get free delivery on your first three orders. Get grocery delivery through Instacart

10 best kitchen finds to shop in August

Omie OmieBox Kids Insulated Leakproof Bento Lunch Box with Food Jar
With OmieBox, you can pack more variety and keep their favorite foods at just the right temperature, so lunch is always something to look forward to. Shop now at Amazon

Bentgo Pop Leak-Proof 3-4 Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box
This reusable lunch container offers bigger portions for bigger appetites, holding 5 cups of food. Shop now at Amazon

Uncrustable Sandwich Cutters, 2-Pack
Ditch the crusts and easily make, seal, and freeze your own custom, kid-safe pocket sandwiches! Shop at Amazon

Bentgo Easyboxes 4-Compartment Snack Containers
Designed for variety, these durable bento style boxes are a fun and mess-free way to pack multiple snacks or lunchable-style small meals. Shop now at Amazon

Gatorade Kids’ Rookie Metal Water Bottle, 12-Ounce
A 12-ounce premium stainless-steel fully insulated bottle designed for your rookie athletes to keep drinks cold on and off the field. Shop now at Amazon

Paris Hilton Electric Lunch Warmer
Enjoy warm meals on the go with this compact 20-ounce electric lunch warmer. It reheats pre-cooked food without a microwave and features a removable stainless steel bowl for easy cleanup. Save at Amazon

Fresko V8 New AutoMax Fully Automatic Vacuum Sealer
This hands-free Fresko vacuum sealer detects bags, adjusts settings, and seals automatically. A smarter way to prep, store, and reduce food waste.Apply code JULY-V8-20 at checkout to get an extra 20% off.– In stock and ships within 2-5 business days- 30-day risk-free trial- 1-year warranty- Free shipping and returns Save an extra 20% at Fresko

Thermos Funtainer Kids Food Jar with Spoon, 10oz
The cold weather will be here before you know it. This Thermos stainless steel food container keeps contents hot up to 5 hours and cold up to 7 hours. Shop now at Amazon

Stasher Recyclable Sealable Paper Sandwich Bags, 50-Count, Dino
These fun, plastic-free dinosaur paper sandwich bags feature a secure peel-and-seal closure and expandable sides for easy school lunches. Save at Amazon

HexClad Hybrid 6-Piece Fry Pan Set with Lids
Save 25% on this premium set of Gordon Ramsay-backed HexClad fry pans and lids. $399 at HexClad (Save 25%)

Easy lunch and snack ideas for busy fall days

Nature’s Own x Make-A-Wish launch a free digital cookbook for lunch
Find your new lunch inspiration with these sandwich recipes created by Make-A-Wish kids. Get the recipes for free

Grüns Kids Superfood Gummies
Designed for picky eaters and busy families, Grüns Kids Superfood Gummies deliver 60+ ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, vitamins, minerals and prebiotics, in a strawberry-flavored gummy that fits easily into everyday routines. Order now at Grüns

FlavCity x Weight Watchers Whipped Lemonade Protein Smoothie
Need an easy lunch? Opt for a meal replacement smoothie that tastes like Chick-Fil-A’s frosted lemonade, or just boost your protein intake. Shop Whipped Lemonade Protein

Built 12-Count Mixed Box
Another option for a healthy snack, meal replacement or just a way to boost your protein on-the-go, try this Built protein variety box. Order now from Built

What is USA TODAY Shopping’s Fall Reset? 

USA TODAY Shopping’s Fall Reset is our inaugural seasonal event designed to help readers effortlessly transition from summer to fall. Throughout August and beyond, our editors highlight the best products, deals and expert recommendations for back-to-school, home organization, fall fashion, wellness, tech and everyday essentials. 

What should you buy during a fall reset?

The best fall reset purchases depend on your needs, but here are some categories we are already tracking:

• Kickstart your new school year routine with 10 beauty and wellness essentials
• The 10 best back-to-school supply deals parents can shop today
• These dorm room essentials will save your sanity on move in day
• I found 10 back-to-school gadgets students will actually use every day
• I found the best back-to-school clothing deals starting at $15

USA TODAY Shopping will be covering all the best deals and drops so be sure to sign up for text alerts, check us out on Flipboard, follow us on TikTok, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram to stay updated!

Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change