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Budget kids' lunch plans for the summer holidays

Food charity, Bite Back 2030 has created six weeks of wallet-friendly meal plans and shopping lists to make school holiday lunchtimes easy. From British classics to all-American treats and new summer favourites - try them all or pick your favourites. We've gathered all six menus and shopping lists below. Plus, to get all of these recipes in one place, download your free Cook with Jack cookbook - get the link at the bottom of this page.

  1. Back to basics

    Back to basics

    Cooking homemade lunch is easy with this week of classic recipes. Start the week by mastering the perfect scrambled eggs, then switch up your sandwiches and simple couscous salads before ending the week with a bonus sweet peanut butter dessert.

    Get all the recipes here, then screenshot this shopping list or buy everything you need here.

    Fruit and veg
    140g shredded iceberg lettuce
    1 clementine
    6-pack small apples
    1 salad tomato
    700g jacket potatoes
    3 bananas

    Meat
    240g pack cooked sliced chicken

    Dairy
    220g pack Cheddar
    500g light mayonnaise or 50% less fat soft cheese
    2pt semi-skimmed milk
    500g pot low fat Greek-style yogurt

    Storecupboard
    6-pack large free-range eggs
    400g sliced wholemeal loaf
    420g tin baked beans
    325g tin sweetcorn
    3 x 80g tins tuna or salmon
    500g bag couscous
    340g pot crunchy peanut butter
    olive oil

  2. Healthy fakeaways

    Healthy fakeaways

    Craving a takeaway? Recreate all your favourites for lunch at home - from perfect crispy chicken goujons to kebabs with homemade flatbreads or a classic beef burger.

    Get all the recipes here, then screenshot this shopping list or buy everything you need here.

    Fruit and veg
    1 brown onion
    6-pack salad tomatoes
    1 round lettuce
    1 garlic bulb
    2 carrots
    1 red pepper
    1 cucumber
    3 bananas
    6-pack kiwis
    6-pack small apples

    Meat
    300g pack 2 chicken breast fillets
    500g pack beef mince (20% fat)

    Dairy
    220g pack Cheddar
    500g pot low-fat Greek-style yogurt
    1pt semi-skimmed milk

    Storecupboard
    325g tin sweetcorn
    6-pack medium free-range eggs
    500g pack self-raising flour
    6-pack soft wholemeal rolls
    250g pack medium egg noodles
    150ml bottle reduced-salt soy sauce
    48g jar smoked paprika
    olive oil

  3. Summer sensations

    Summer sensations

    Bring the sunshine with these summer lunches perfect for the holidays. Homemade pizzas are easy with these speedy pitta pizzas, then make a hearty salmon and potato salad and try a veg-filled frittata.

    Get the recipes here, then screenshot the shopping list below or buy everything you need here.

    Fruit and veg
    1kg pack baby potatoes
    2 red peppers
    1 brown onion
    1 carrot
    1 iceberg lettuce
    1 head of broccoli
    1 lemon
    3 bananas
    6-pack kiwis
    6-pack small apples

    Meat
    500g pack beef mince (20% fat)

    Dairy
    500g pot low-fat natural yogurt
    220g pack Cheddar
    2pt semi-skimmed milk 

    Storecupboard
    500g wholewheat penne
    212g tin pink salmon
    6-pack medium free-range eggs
    6-pack wholemeal pitta bread
    30g pot dried mixed herbs
    500g carton tomato passata
    400g tin chickpeas
    olive oil

  4. A taste of America

    A taste of America

    Try something different with an all-American week, starting with irresistible cheesy homemade nachos and finishing with juicy chicken burgers.

    Get the recipes here, then screenshot the shopping list below or buy everything you need here.

    Fruit and veg
    250g pack cherry tomatoes
    2 red onions
    1 garlic bulb
    2 red peppers
    200g pack baby button mushrooms
    1 medium ripe avocado
    2-pack Little Gem lettuce
    1 baking potato
    100g bunch spring onions
    20g pack fresh chives
    2 large kiwis
    1 orange
    2 bananas

    Meat
    300g pack 2 chicken breast fillets

    Dairy
    220g pack Cheddar 
    150ml pot soured cream
    500g pot low-fat natural yogurt
    2pt semi-skimmed milk

    Storecupboard
    8-pack mini plain tortilla wraps
    400g tin plum tomatoes
    210g tin red kidney beans
    250g pouch microwave wholegrain rice
    48g jar smoked paprika 
    6-pack wholemeal rolls
    olive oil

  5. Mediterranean meals

    Mediterranean meals

    Travel from your kitchen with these Mediterranean-inspired meals covering Spanish, Greek and Italian classics, from speedy bruschetta to easy homemade flatbreads to go with Spanish eggs.

    Get the recipes here, then screenshot the shopping list below or buy everything you need here.

    Fruit and veg
    2 red peppers
    2 brown onions
    2 carrots
    1 garlic bulb
    6-pack salad tomatoes
    1 round lettuce
    1 cucumber portion
    1 lemon
    30g pack fresh basil
    3 bananas
    2 large kiwis
    1 orange

    Meat
    900g chicken thighs

    Dairy
    500g pot low-fat natural yogurt
    2pt semi-skimmed milk
    210g pack mozzarella 

    Storecupboard
    500g pack wholewheat spaghetti
    250g pouch microwave wholegrain rice 
    210g tin chickpeas
    2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
    120g tin sardines
    6-pack medium free-range eggs
    14g jar dried oregano
    48g jar smoked paprika
    500g pack self-raising flour
    2-pack part-baked baguettes
    olive oil
    900g frozen peas

  6. Best of British

    Best of British

    Make some British comfort food with these ‘Best of British’ ideas, from a cottage pie for rainy days to homemade baked beans or a simple omelette.

    Get the recipes here, then screenshot the shopping list below or buy everything you need here.

    Fruit and veg
    2.5kg pack potatoes
    380g pack mushrooms
    1 brown onion
    100g bunch spring onions
    2 carrots
    1 head of broccoli
    1 red pepper
    1 lemon
    3 bananas
    2 large kiwis
    1 apple

    Meat
    500g beef mince (20% fat)

    Dairy
    375g pack ready-rolled shortcrust pastry
    400g pack Cheddar 
    2pt semi-skimmed milk

    Storecupboard
    800g loaf sliced wholemeal bread
    145g tin tuna
    400g tin chopped tomatoes
    210g tin butter beans
    12-pack medium free-range eggs
    10-pack beef stock cubes
    500g pack plain flour
    olive oil
    900g frozen peas

  7. Cook with Jack cookbook

    To get all the recipes in one place, download the Cook with Jack free cookbook.

    Cook with Jack cookbook