RVA Deals

Welcome to RVA Deals: Lunch Box Edition! In honor of back-to-school week, this week’s picks focus on sale items to stock school lunch bags. Deals include fruits and veggies on the cheap and Capri Suns for next to nothing!

September 9, 2009; 12:00 PM • by Alison Brown

Welcome to RVA Deals: Lunch Box Edition! In honor of back-to-school week, this week’s picks focus on sale items to stock school lunch bags.

I’m not looking forward to the day I’m tasked with preparing frugal, nutritious, AND appetizing packed meals, but I find comfort in the knowledge that there are plenty of Internet resources to provide inspiration. (If you haven’t already, check out last week’s article by Kelly Blanchard, sharing some ideas for thinking outside of the lunch bag.) A web search for “saving on school lunches” yields lots of results; much of the advice boils down to variations of the following:

• Prepare ahead of time and freeze or refrigerate
• Buy in bulk, then break into miniature servings
• Convenience costs extra, so DIY (assemble your own sandwiches, slice your own fruit, bottle your own drinks, etc.)
• Opt for re-usable containers

And of course, shop the sales!

Meat Top Pick

O-S-C-A-R…. 16-oz Oscar Meyer bologna is $2 at Ukrop’s (Requires coupon printed from Savings Spot machine in-store. Must purchase 2, limit 2). Also, Oscar Mayer Basic Lunchables are $1 at Kroger.

Veggie Top Pick

Get mini peeled carrot 16-oz bags for $1 at Kroger, which are just cut up regular carrots.

Fruit Top Pick

At Ukrop’s you’ll find $.99 cents a pound red, green, or black seedless grapes.

Dairy Top Pick

Kroger-brand shredded, bar or sliced cheese will set you back $1.25.

Staples Top Pick

Lance cracker packs cost $1.67 at Ukrop’s.

Snacks & Sweets Top Pick

Kellogg’s Rice Krispie Treats (or Kellogg’s Fruit Snacks) are $1.99 at Kroger.

Beverages Top Pick

Ukrop’s has Capri Sun 10-packs for $1.50 with Savings Spot coupon. Must purchase 2, limit 2.

Household Top Pick

Keep those little hands clean! Dial or Softsoap hand soap are $1 at Kroger, and the 8/16 SmartSource coupon insert had a coupon for $.35 off Dial, which doubles to $.70 off.

Find more deals by accessing the stores’ weekly ads online:

• Prices valid 9/6-9/12: Kroger, Ukrop’s, Target, Walgreen’s, CVS
• Prices valid 9/9-9/15: Tom Leonard’s, Whole Foods, Fresh Market

Check out more of Alison’s stellar cost-cutting tricks and tips over at Richmond Bargains or follow her on Twitter. Your wallet is sure to thank you.

September 9, 2009 12:00 PM 0