Here in Los Angeles kids go back to school just after the Labor Day weekend. I’m finishing up the shopping for school supplies and clothes. Shopping for lunchbox items has been a little more complicated. It’s no secret that I’m a big Tupperware fan but Tupperware doesn’t fulfill every need in this house.

The good folks at Enviro Products sent over a stainless steel food container. I was a bit skeptical at first, because my son is the only one who packs a lunch and sometimes these things are too difficult to unlatch. It turns out I had no reason to worry, the latches are firm but easy enough for an elementary school boy to maneuver and there’s no metallic taste. It’s a large container, and I’d love to see one that’s sandwich sized, because that would keep the sandwiches from flailing around and falling apart. It’s perfect for pastas grains and fruits. My kids seldom want soft skin fruits like peaches or nectarines in their lunch boxes because they’re ruined (smashed) by lunchtime.

Which reminds me of The Banana Keeper, which I thought was a ridiculous item, until my son brought home a banana smashed all over his lunch box. Oh why didn’t I buy the Banana Keeper this summer? I’m pretty sure the only place to get one now is on eBay.

The Enviro Product line includes stainless water bottles and lunch sacks. The lunch sack (lunch boxes are so 2008) is well insulated and made of bamboo fiber so it’s durable, washable and sustainable. The water bottle was a big hit because it came with a carabineer (that loopie thing that mountaineers use) and I promise you, kids think carribiners are very cool. Here in the US you can find Enviro Products at Whole Foods Markets.

The real trick is making sure the kids don’t lose this stuff.

[This post was written by Jessica Gottlieb.]