SoDu Parenting Pickles

[SoDu Parenting Pickles] Are Home Lunches Worth Packing?

"For plenty of SoDu families, packing lunch feels like a small act of love - or control. You know exactly what your child is eating (or at least what you offered), and you may be convinced it’s healthier, tastier, or better suited to dietary needs than anything a cafeteria can offer."

Wes Platt

04 Sep 2025 — 3 min read

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Disclaimer: SoDu Parenting Pickles posts are written by a fellow parent, sharing experiences, reflections, and thoughts on raising kids in South Durham. This column is not written by a licensed therapist or counselor and should not be taken as professional mental health, medical, or legal advice. Every family’s situation is unique – please use your own judgment and seek professional guidance when needed.

Question: "I’ve been packing lunches every day since kindergarten, but now my 4th grader just wants to eat cafeteria lunch like everyone else. I’m wondering - am I wasting time and energy trying to be the ‘healthy lunch’ parent?”

The SoDu Pickle Picker: Ah, the lunch box dilemma: a daily ritual in some homes, a daily burden in others. For years, packing lunch has been the go-to move for health-conscious, budget-savvy, or picky-eater parents in South Durham. But with kids asking to get their lunch from the cafeteria - and schools offering meals at no cost - many parents are wondering: Is it time to drop the Tupperware and hand over the tray?

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