Lunchables, those pre-packaged meal kits featuring cheese, crackers, candy and miniature pizzas and hot dogs have gone missing from grocery store shelves, and some parents and Lunchables fans are in a state of panic. They have even taken to social media to share their dismay.
Aye man wtf bought all the lunchables pic.twitter.com/Wpm3Yy6doA
— Dilon Wilson (@DWilson87) September 20, 2021
Kraft Heinz, creator of the meal kits, told TODAY Food that the demand for Lunchables has reached an all-time high, with sales growing in double-digits for the first time in 5 years.
“Compared to 2019, nearly two million more households bought Kraft Heinz brands in the second quarter of 2021,” the spokesperson said. They added that the company is “thrilled to see incredible demand.” To address this growth, the company is working to invest in its supply chains. Additionally, the spokesperson said Kraft Heinz has “teams working fast and furiously so our retailers and consumers can get more of the Kraft Heinz products they love, wherever they like to shop.”
But fear not, Lunchables enthusiasts – below are 7 options found in stores nationwide that may appease your kids (and you):
More Lunch Ideas:
- 9 Bento Box Ideas For Never-Boring School Lunches
- 15 Easy Toddler Lunch Ideas to Pack For Daycare
- School Lunch Ideas They’ll Actually Eat
7 Snack Pack Alternatives To Lunchables
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Applegate Naturals Charcuterie Plate
Most Applegate Naturals Charcuterie Plates include a combination of sweet, savory and crunchy items for kids to munch on. Combinations vary from uncured Genoa salami, cheddar, almonds and dark chocolate to uncured chorizo, cheddar and chocolate covered pretzels. As with all Applegate products, there are no antibiotics or GMO ingredients in these kid friendly snacks.
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Castle Wood Reserve Snacking Trios
Kids can build a mouth-watering sandwich with any of the Castle Wood Reserve Snacking Trios. They all include pre-sliced deli meats like uncured black forest ham or oven roasted turkey breast, some type of delicious cheese like provolone or gouda and a gourmet treat like dried cranberries or yogurt-covered granola clusters
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Good & Gather Charcuterie Bites
Exclusive to Target, the Good & Gather brand is free from artificial flavors and sweeteners, synthetic colors and high-fructose corn syrup. With that said, your kids will still love to mix their own flavor combinations of all of the delicious ingredients in these lunch packs.
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Gusto Snack Packs
The Gusto Snack Packs are simple yet delicious. If your kid is a charcuterie board fan, then they will love any of the three-ingredient combos the company has to offer. No sweets included so toss in some fruit or cookies to round out the meal.
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Hillshire Snacking Small Plates
Hillshire's Snacking Small Plates are described by the company "charcuterie boards that can fit in your backpack." As with the Gusto packs, these are pretty simple but kids will still love to create their sandwiches with the quality ingredients included.
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Hormel Natural Choice Stacks
Kids can create mini-sandwiches with all varieties of the Hormel Natural Choice Stacks. They come in a variety of combinations including turkey, crackers and cheddar, honey ham, crackers and cheddar and uncured salami, crackers and cheddar.
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Oscar Meyer Natural Meat & Cheese Packs
The Oscar Meyer Natural Meat & Cheese Packs are a deli-licious way for your kids to enjoy lunch. Each kid-friendly option (like hickory smoked uncured ham, monterey jack cheese and whole whea.t crackers) includes up to 17g of protein
