Healthy school lunch ideas

CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - It's what every parent looks for, quick, easy back to school lunch ideas for kids that are healthy, nutritious, and use local ingredients.

Devon Whitney-Deal and Deanna Cook who work with CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture) , and Ella McDonald, Deanna's Daughter and co-cookbook writer, shared some delicious ideas.

Easy Kids' Lunches Made with Local Ingredients

• Peanut butter and honey sandwich made with local honey and bread
• BLT sandwich with local bacon, lettuce, and tomato
• Salad on a Stick with cherry tomatoes, carrot rounds, cucumbers and local ranch dressing as a dip

Homemade applesauce:
Makes about 5 cups of applesauce

Ingredients:

• 12 medium local apples
• 1 cup water or apple cider
• 1/2 cup sugar, or less to taste
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice

Directions:

1. Wash, quarter, and core the apples.
2. Place them in a large cooking pot and add the water.
3. Over medium heat, cook the apples until they are nearly soft.
4. Add the sugar and lemon juice.
5. Cook the mixture for a few minutes longer, then run it through a food mill (or press it through a strainer or puree in the food processor).
6. Enjoy!

For more information about how you can get involved in sustaining agriculture visit buylocalfood.org .