Giveaways Greener Living

Bummis Reusable Lunch on the Go

The weather forecast said sun with a few clouds and temperatures in the 60s. Perfect fall weather, and I’d been looking forward to taking the kids for a little picnic at the park. I’d packed up sandwiches, applesauce, and crackers in our Lunch by Bummis reusable bags and pouches and snuck in a couple pieces of Halloween candy. We were just getting ready to head out the door when the clouds grew heavy and dark. Of course it would start raining right after I’d promised the kids a fun outdoor lunch. That’s the Pacific Northwest for you.

Our covered deck came to the rescue. Though it wasn’t the perfect vision I’d had—a picnic blanket laid out under a big tree full of fall color—we made the most of it. The kids sat at their little table together and dug into their basket with enthusiasm. Peanut butter and jelly always tastes better from a basket.

Part of their fun was unzipping the Reusable Snack and Sandwich Bags to see what was inside. I love the Retro Dots and Banana prints we currently have, and Bummis makes three more: lumberjack, doughnuts, and sushi. The bags are very roomy. Big enough to hold 1 1/2 sandwiches, which is perfect for my two kids. And they’re cuter than a plastic zip top bag any day.

When we’re done using them, I wipe out any large pieces of food and toss them in with my regular laundry. They’re also dishwasher safe on the top rack. I really like these snack bags, and I think this is the next big move for my family in ditching wasteful, one-time use products like their plastic counterparts.

Both the snack bags and the Reusable Food Pouches are BPA-free, and Bummis products are locally sourced and made in Canada. They’re as guilt-free and ethical as it gets, and I’ve had absolutely zero concerns using their food pouches day after day for months with the smallest member of my clan.

I decided to wean Riley from nursing throughout the night back in July, but she still woke up hungry once a night. To ease the transition, We’d fill a Bummis food pouch with yogurt and seal it up before bed. When we’d wake to her cries in the middle of the night, I’d offer it to her in place of nursing. It worked wonders, and here we are three months later with both kids consistently sleeping through the night.

Though the four new designs have a lot of modern style, the transparent graphics also serve a practical purpose. You can see what’s in them, how much, and if the pouches are truly clean. I’m able to get all the food particles out with an initial rinse and a few swipes of my scrub brush into the bottom. They’re safe for both your dishwasher and your freezer.

Riley’s still at an age where a bib comes in handy for most meals. Her PB&J didn’t stay in one piece for long, and, as usual, she ended up with more of it on her than in her mouth. Bummis’ Best Ever Sleeved Bib is a big favorite of mine. I recommend it to other parents of babies and toddlers, and I’ve bought multiple to give as gifts. We’ve used ours for meals, water sensory play, and finger painting. Messes so big, I thought they would never come clean again, but they surprise me every time. They still look like new! They come in 14 color and print combinations, and Riley’s pink and blue bib is called Raspberry.

I’ve loved Bummis cloth diapers for years, drawn to their quality, style, and commitment to sustainability and positive social impact. I’m happy to see the company expanding their products to children’s swimwear, feminine care, and now their eco-friendly snack line, Lunch by Bummis.

Transitioning my household away from disposable plastic bags and pre-filled squeeze pouches is a goal I’ve been working toward, and, for me, Bummis is the obvious choice for sustainable replacements. Scientists don’t really know how long it takes for plastic to decompose. It’s only been around for 50 years and doesn’t biodegrade, so their best guess is somewhere between 500 and 1,000 years. Today, an estimated trillion plastic bags end up in landfills each year. This is a big problem. But it’s one we can correct if we take up the same commitment Bummis has—to reduce our ecological footprint.

It can be intimidating, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Start in the kitchen with Lunch by Bummis.

Disclosure: I received sample items to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.


Samantha

Samantha Levang is a contributor at This West Coast Mommy, specializing in cloth diaper and baby item reviews. She lives in Washington state with her husband, son Brooks, and baby girl Riley. Between diaper changes and loads of laundry, she enjoys landscape photography and the never-ending process of home decorating.

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