7 Better-for-You Costco Finds That Make Packing Lunches Easier

Packing lunches is a lot easier when you have a few things you can grab straight from the pantry or fridge. Costco’s bulk sizes are especially handy for stocking up on snacks, dips, and easy sources of protein that can be mixed and matched throughout the week.

These six picks give you plenty of options, whether you need something to go with a sandwich, a quick protein boost, or an easy snack to round out lunch.

1. Nature’s Garden Organic Trail Mix Snack Packs, 1.2 oz, 24-count

The individual bags are what make this variety pack especially useful for lunches. You get three different organic trail mixes, with eight packs of each, so there’s some variety without having to portion a big bag yourself. They’re already sized at 1.2 ounces each, making them easy to grab on busy mornings. Just check your school’s nut policy before packing them.

2. Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter, 28 oz, 2-count, $11.69

Made with dry-roasted organic Valencia peanuts, this is a useful staple for sandwiches, apple slices, or whole-grain crackers. It’s an easy way to add protein and healthy fats, although you’ll want to keep it at home if your child’s school or classroom is peanut-free.

3. Kirkland Signature Organic Fruit and Vegetable Pouches, 3.17 oz, 24-count, $14.99

These no-added-sugar pouches come in two puréed blends: Apple Strawberry Spinach and Apple Mango Yellow Carrot Peach. They don’t replace whole fruits and vegetables, but they’re a convenient lunchbox extra for days when you need something you can grab and pack in seconds.

4. Kirkland Signature Organic Hummus, 2.5 oz, 20-count, $7.89

The individual 2.5-ounce cups save you from portioning hummus into containers in the morning. Pair one with carrots, cucumbers, bell pepper strips, or whole-grain crackers for an easy way to add chickpeas and a little fiber to lunch. Just pack it with an ice pack to keep it cold.

5. Country Archer Grass-Fed Beef Stick Minis Original, 0.5 oz, 28-count, $19.99

Each mini stick has 4 grams of protein and no sugar, making these an easy way to add a little more protein to a lunch that otherwise leans heavily on fruit, crackers, or other carbs. They’re individually wrapped, too, so there’s nothing to portion in the morning.

6. Chomps Chomplings Original Turkey Mini Sticks, 0.5 oz, 24-count, $22.99

These mini turkey sticks have 5 grams of protein and no sugar. They’re also free from the top nine allergens, which can make them a useful individually wrapped option for lunchboxes. Pair one with fruit, vegetables, or a whole-grain snack to round things out.

7. KIND Minis Dark Chocolate Variety Pack, 0.7 oz, 36-count

These mini KIND bars give kids something sweet in a smaller portion, with two dark chocolate flavors in the box: Cherry Cashew and Nuts & Sea Salt. They’re individually wrapped and easy to toss into a lunchbox when you want to include a treat without packing a full-size bar.

How to Turn These Into a Balanced Lunch

Use these picks as building blocks rather than the whole lunch. Start with a protein, add a fruit or vegetable, include a whole-grain or other fiber-rich food, and round it out with something your kid enjoys.

A turkey stick can go with fruit and whole-grain crackers one day, while hummus can go with vegetables and pita the next. Having a few of those components stocked in bulk gives you plenty of ways to mix things up without coming up with a completely new lunch every morning.