A bit rusty with your packed lunch routine? Get back in the game with easy brown bag ideas for kids and grown-ups!

Kids' lunch

Packed lunch is a little hug from home for juniors headed back to class.

Deep Dish Stuffed Pancake

Got a box of pancake mix? You've got a lunch that kids will flip over! Mix together 2/3 cup (150 mL) Compliments Complete Pancake Mix, 1/4 cup (60 mL) water and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each dried oregano and salt until smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup (60 mL) each chopped homestyle roast ham, diced green pepper and shredded cheddar cheese. Pour into 7- or 8-in. (18 or 20 cm) oiled non-stick frypan over medium heat. Cover and cook until middle is almost set and bottom is golden, about 5 min. Turn pancake over. Cook other side for about 3 min. Let cool, then cut into wedges. Pack alongside fresh fruit and veggies.

Traffic Lights Lunch

It's like a kids' charcuterie board with a built-in street-crossing lesson. Nestle red, yellow and green goodies inside a food container. Stop on red! Grape tomatoes, sweet red pepper sticks, rolled salami, strawberries or red apple. Yellow means slow and stop. Time to tuck into cheese and crackers or rolled sliced deli turkey or chicken. Go with green! Take a bite out of green grapes, celery sticks, cucumber, kale chips or spinach crackers. Packing lunch can be a moment to review the rules of the road!

Teen-approved lunch Ideas

Familiar foods turn into fresh lunch ideas loved by teens or the young at heart!

Cubano-Style Sandwich

A ham sammie with sass! This appetizing filling combo takes its cue from a Florida favourite. Spread mayo and ballpark mustard on a panini bun or baguette. Fill with the deli's homestyle roast ham (or leftover Nagano® Pork Tenderloin), dill pickles and Swiss cheese or Emmental cheese.

Easy Deli Turkey Roti

A chill riff on a hot dish. Finely chop herbed turkey slices from the Deli Dept. Toss with a handful of bagged coleslaw mix, plus diced cucumber and a spoonful each of plain yogurt and mango chutney. Season with salt and pepper. Roll tightly in naan bread. You've got lunch wrapped up!

Deluxe desk lunches

Clever shortcuts turn packed lunch into an exciting meal.

Cobb Salad Sandwich

Turn a traditional platter lunch into an awesome sandwich with a few smart shortcuts. Frying an egg instead of boiling saves oodles of time. Crisp up prosciutto in seconds in a skillet instead of waiting for bacon. Now, you're ready to spread blue cheese dressing on Mountain Grain bread for that signature Cobb salad tang. Tuck in the egg, prosciutto, plus sliced herbed turkey or chicken from the deli, avocado, lettuce and tomato. So easy to enjoy this classic!

Lunch, Steakhouse Style

Say buh-bye to ho-hum, and give chilled dinner leftovers a makeover. Arrange sliced Sterling Silver® top sirloin steak and a few boiled potatoes in a food container. Tuck in a crunchy wedge of iceberg lettuce alongside, top with crumbled blue cheese and a sprinkling of pecan pieces. Separately pack your favourite oil-and-vinegar dressing to spoon over the works. OTT delicious!