Check out some of the press that PlanetBox has received:

Z Recommends

Mommy Footprint

Mommy Goes Green

Conscious Shopper

Playful Learning

Matthew's Puzzle

Fake Plastic Fish

Smiling Green Mom

Xobobox

VegNews

Kiwi Magazine

SFBayStyle

Littlewhirl

Sweet peas and Stilettos

Ohdeehoh, Apartment Therapy

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As a mom who has been packing lunches for over 8 years, I’ve been frustrated by the ever changing news about what plastics are considered “safe.” First PVC was bad, then Polystyrene. Then the bad news of #7 Polycarbonate plastics came. This plastic is widely used in clear, rigid sports bottles and some baby bottles, and contains bisphenol A, a known hormone disruptor that has recently been linked to a wide variety of health disorders, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, some types of cancer and childhood hyperactivity disorders. It’s hard not to imagine what supposed “safe” plastic is going to be next!

I started to look for good alternatives for packing my kid’s lunch. I found that glass is great for home, but my daughter’s pre-school politely asked me to stop packing glass containers after one dropped on the floor and created quite a hazard – who can blame them? I turned my attention to metal containers - buying up anything I could get my hands on in this country, over the internet, or through my husband’s travels around the world. I amassed quite a collection! But none of these containers really worked well – they were either too big, too awkward, or weren’t good for little hands to open and close. That’s why I teamed up with my product designer husband and created PlanetBox. I’ve been using it for months now for my own kids and I’m so pleased to report that it works great. It’s really helped solve the lunch packing dilemma for me, and hope it will for you too!

I once overheard my older daughter having a heated discussion with a few of her friends that could be titled “My mom is more obsessed with buying organic food than your mom.” Can’t say for sure, but I think she won the debate. It’s true, I am a self-described organic food nut. Call me crazy, but I just don’t like the idea of eating pesticides. I want my apple to be just an apple, hold the industrial chemicals.

There are lots of other good reasons to buy organic, too many to get into here. But I would like to share with you the Environmental Working Group’s list for the top 13 foods that are the MOST important to buy organic, because the conventional versions contain the most pesticide residues. They are (in order) Peaches, Apples, Sweet Bell Peppers, Celery, Nectarines, Strawberries, Cherries, Lettuce, Grapes - Imported, Pears, Spinach, Potatoes and Carrots. I remember the first time I saw this list I thought, “These are the foods that my kids actually like – why couldn’t chard and okra be at the top of the list!” To read more about the most important foods to buy organic, go to http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php.

Invariably, as soon as my kids walk through the door after school, they turn ravenous and plead, “What’s for snack, mom – I’m starving!” And invariably, my reply is the same: “Have you finished your lunch?” See, even though I put all this time and energy into my kids’ lunches, rarely do they actually finish them at school. I really can’t blame them – lunch time is 10-15 minutes only, out on picnic tables with hundreds of loud kids, and their only time to socialize with friends from other classes.

So typically there is still food left, and my kids are used to what I say next – “Please finish your lunch before I get out any new foods.” They are used to this drill now. My youngest even has some fun with it. She will open her PlanetBox at our kitchen counter, finish her food and then point to a specific compartment and say, “Put some grapes in this one” or “Squeeze some ketchup into the middle here so I can dip my carrots.” It gives her some control and makes her more interested in the food. And it’s one less dirty dish that I have to wash at the end of the day.

"PlanetBox makes my healthy food look cool!"

-- Danielle, mother of one

"I don't know how I lived before Planet Box. Not only is it a great way to promote Litterless Lunches, but it makes lunch making quicker and easier. It just doesn't seem to be such a "chore" now. And I now tend to pack healthier lunches as each compartment has it's purpose (ie, veg, fruit, main meal, munchies and little area for treat)."

-- Sara, mother of 2

"My kids love it and I am looking forward to not having to clean multiple Tupperware containers each day."

-- Nell, mom of 3

"I like how the different compartments remind me to pack a well-balanced lunch - I can tell right away if I've forgotten to pack a vegetable or another food group. Also, I like to see all the food at once and make sure it's colorful and healthy."

-- Bobbi, mom of 2

"PlanetBox holds more food than I thought it would, and cleans up so easily! I like the fail-safe latch and the fact that it doesn't warp in the dishwasher."

-- Davy, dad of 2

"My daughter was so excited that she wanted to have dinner in her new PlanetBox; here is what the world's fussiest eater ate - all of - prawns, rice, peas, carrots, crackers, ham (and a few mini meringues). THANK YOU!"

-- Annie, mom of 2

"My son loves the fact that the foods stay in their own compartments. Even though his PlanetBox get tossed around on it's way to school (he bikes), he says his food is still fresh and neat at lunchtime. He hates soggy crackers (or soggy anything!) and he hasn't complained about anything being soggy since he started to use his PlanetBox. Thanks!"

-- Eric, father of 1

Send us pictures of some of your kids’ favorite lunches packed in your PlanetBox and we’ll add them to this website.