Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Santa Cruz Organic but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
It is hard to believe, but it is officially back to school time in our household. For us, going back to school means packing lunches everyday. It was just last school year that I started having my kids pack their own lunches for school. I am trying to gradually give them more responsibilities so that they are able to become more independent. (Plus, it allows me to have more time to get ready for work: win-win!) Even though I give my kids a certain amount of freedom to choose what they put in their lunches, it is important for me to stock up on foods I actually want them to eat.
Santa Cruz Organic is a line of products that I can feel good about being part of my kids’ lunchboxes. Santa Cruz Organic products use only the highest quality Certified Organic and Non-GMO ingredients. Santa Cruz Organic has been committed to producing organic products since 1972 and I appreciate that they are also committed to sustainability. Today I am sharing about how Santa Cruz Organic applesauce and fruit spreads are the perfect choice for back to school lunches.
Santa Cruz Organic Applesauce
The individual Santa Cruz Organic applesauce cups are such a convenient product to make sure my kids have a serving of fruit in their lunchbox–no prep necessary! I like to stock up and keep them in a separate container in the refrigerator for easy access. (No refrigeration is necessary, but my kids like to eat their applesauce cold!) Each 4-ounce cup of Santa Cruz Organic applesauce provides 100% RDI (Reference Daily Intake) of Vitamin C and my kids think it tastes really good!
Santa Cruz Organic Fruit Spread
The first ingredient in Santa Cruz Organic fruit spreads is organic fruit. My kids are huge mango fans, so they were excited that Santa Cruz Organic makes a mango fruit spread. When my son tasted it, he said it was very “mango-y”! Santa Cruz Organic also makes other kid-friendly flavors such as strawberry and seedless red raspberry.
Here is a super simple recipe for Mango Cream Cheese that can be used as either a spread or a dip:
Mango Cream Cheese Spread/Dip
- 2 Tablespoons Santa Cruz Mango Fruit Spread
- 4 Tablespoons Whipped Cream Cheese Spread
Combine the Santa Cruz Mango Fruit Spread and the whipped cream cheese until fully incorporated. Be sure to use whipped cream cheese, which makes it really easy to mix with a spoon by hand. Serves 2.
This mango cream cheese can be served many ways. Some ideas are to use it as spread on a mini bagel, a tortilla roll-up, or crackers. It can also be used as a dip for apple slices or mini waffles. The combinations are endless, and it works for breakfast, lunch, or an after-school snack.
Prevent School Lunch Boredom With Santa Cruz Organic
If your kids are like mine, they become bored if they have to pack the same ol’ sandwich everyday. Santa Cruz Organic products make it easy to come up with simple lunch ideas that are sure to brighten your kids’ day.
This cute lunch features mini waffles to dip in the mango cream cheese (which can be made ahead of time with the above-featured recipe). Served with a hard-boiled egg, some sliced cucumbers and an individual Santa Cruz Organic applesauce cup, this is a lunch that is sure to please. Some other ideas would be to swap out the mini waffles for crackers, mini pancakes or a mini bagel, carrots or bell peppers for the cucumbers and a cheese stick instead of the egg. Choose foods that your kids actually enjoy eating so it does not go to waste!
As you start stocking up for back to school lunches, be sure to look for Santa Cruz Organic products at a store near you.