Taste Test: Brown bag lunches
Students in one community rate brown bag lunches as an alternative to school-made lunches.
by Lorraine Eaton
Three bagged lunches. Three student judges.
For this month's taste test, we asked lunch-packing pros to outline their idea of a great bagged lunch, and students to apply to be judges. In the meantime, reports were coming in about the rising price of school lunches - which now cost up to $2 a day, depending on grade level.
The Winner: "My Green Lunch" Rachel Wilson, Suffolk
The Lunch:
The main event was a dual affair wrapped in separate sheets of wax paper - half a turkey and cheese sandwich on sourdough bread and half of a dainty cucumber with chive cream cheese sandwich on white, with the crusts removed, thank you very much.
The turkey sandwich had American cheese on it and a schmear of "secret sauce," which Rachel revealed as Italian dressing. Lettuce for the sandwich was packed separately in a resealable plastic bag, "so it stays fresh and the sandwich won't be soggy when you eat it," Rachel said.
For sides, Rachel packed a celery stick stuffed with chunky peanut butter, wedges of Granny Smith apples with a homemade caramel dipping sauce and a big cranberry cookie that her mom baked.
Approximate cost: $2.18
Brown bag philosophy: "I am a foodie. I make most of my school lunches. I care a lot about health and nutrition. I don't believe in eating tons of junk food, or parents who let their kids eat tons of junk food."
What the judges had to say:
"Lots of fresh food and different things - incredibly unique. Not the usual PB&J, There is plenty, and healthy, too!" - Anna
"This would be enough food for lunch. It has meat, cheese, bread and vegetables all together in one sandwich. I liked that you got two different sandwiches because you got a little bit of everything." - Jamie
"I loved the homemade caramel dip. It was creamy and delicious. ... The cookie was delicious, words cannot describe it." - Arden
Best of the Rest: "Dadwich" Frank Stapanowich, Virginia Beach
The Lunch:
The "main event" here is "The Famous Dadwich." Its foundation is a 15-grain whole-wheat bread. Inside are two slices of smoked turkey breast, one slice of Virginia baked ham, a slice of provolone, a "whack" of pepper, red and spring onions, tomato, clover sprouts, romaine lettuce and honey mustard dressing, all in a resealable plastic bag.
For sides, Stapanowich packed a big, shiny red delicious apple, wavy carrot chips (although he admitted that he usually just packs plain carrot sticks), pumpernickel pretzel sticks and a pair of miniature mint patties.
Approximate cost: $5.33
Brown bag philosophy: "Since lunch is my main meal for the day I try to make it healthy, nutritious and low fat but with enough calories to provide fuel for the rest of the day. It also needs to taste good and be packable."
What the judges had to say:
"Wow! The sandwich is huge. I think just eating that would tide me over all day." - Anna
"I would probably only eat half of the sandwich because it would make me full with all of that stuff in it." - Jamie
"You can really taste the ham and the turkey in the sandwich, and I love the sprouts and the tomato." - Arden
"A Healthy Lunch" Christina Karvounis, Virginia Beach
The Lunch:
Knowing that judges would range in grade from elementary school to high school, she packed two types of wraps. One was whole-wheat tortilla with hummus; the other was white with ranch dressing. Both contained chicken, shredded carrots, thinly sliced cucumber, a pinch of green onion and a slice of muenster cheese.
For sides, Karvounis packed, 1/2 cup of mini pretzels, a golden delicious apple, cored and sliced, a small container of honey and a Hershey's Kiss.
Approximate cost: $1.68 (she shops at a commissary, so civilian costs could be higher)
Brown bag philosophy: "I strive for variety in textures and tastes, as well as easy preparation. This lunch has sweet, salty and tangy tastes, plus fiber and protein, color, crunch and great flavor."
What the judges had to say:
"Very flavorful. Wheat wrap, hummus and veggies give it a healthy twist. I really like it." - Anna
"I definitely like the Kiss. It would be like your mom sending you a kiss at school." - Jamie
"Lots of flavors are incorporated here. I love the cucumber and hummus. The wheat wrap has a very bold flavor." - Arden
About the judging:
Lunches earned points in five categories:
- Appearance
- the main event
- side dishes
- the drink
- value and nutrition
Testers' scores were added and then averaged to arrive at the final score.
