Trader Joe’s Fall Finds and How to Pack Them

Trader Joe’s in the fall is a full-on experience. The shelves are stocked with pumpkin everything, cozy snacks, and treats that make even weekday lunches feel special. To help you make the most of the season, we’ve put together a simple Trader Joe’s Fall Grocery List and three easy lunch ideas, one for each PlanetBox size.

Every recipe is quick to prep, perfectly packable, and designed for busy parents who want to make lunch a little more fun (without adding more work).

Your Trader Joe’s Fall Shopping List

Here’s what you’ll want to toss in your cart before they sell out:

Produce & Deli

• Cosmic Crisp apples
• Butternut squash mac & cheese bites (frozen section!)
• Harvest Apple Salad kit
• Mini Babybel cheeses
• Yellow bell pepper

Bakery & Pantry

• Whole wheat bread
• Pumpkin bagels
• Pumpkin cream cheese
• Harvest salsa
• Leaf-shaped chips or ghost chips
• Crackers
• Cheddar cheese

Treats

• Pumpkin spice Joe-Joes
• Sour apple gummies
• Mini chocolate mousse pumpkins

Soups

• Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque

Lunch Ideas

Rover Lunch Box: Spooky Snack Board
A little sweet, a little savory, and totally “boo-tiful.”

What’s inside:

• Pumpkin-shaped grilled cheese with cheddar on whole wheat bread
• Cosmic Crisp apple slices
• Sour apple gummies
• Ghost-shaped chips
• Cheddar and crackers
• Mini chocolate mousse pumpkin
• Harvest salsa for dipping

Parent tip: Use a pumpkin cookie cutter (or a knife) to make a jack-o-lantern face for the grilled cheese. Harvest salsa can be spicy, so if your kiddo prefers something milder, swap for their favorite dip.

Shuttle Lunch Box: Pumpkin Patch Snack Pack

Perfect for preschoolers or light lunch days.

What’s inside:

• Pumpkin bagel halves
• Pumpkin cream cheese spread
• Leaf-shaped chips
• Harvest salsa
• Yellow bell pepper slices

Parent tip: Seasonal snacks and foods are a great way to get kids to try new things by sneaking them in with all the excitement.

Launch Lunch Box: Cozy Comfort Food

Big appetite? This one brings the fall-flavor comfort.

What’s inside:

• Butternut squash mac & cheese balls
• Harvest apple salad
• Crackers
• Mini Babybel cheese
• Pumpkin spice Joe-Joes
• Optional but encouraged: Butternut Squash Pumpkin Bisque 

Parent tip: Let your kid design their own monster face on the Babybel using a food-safe marker. The spookier, the better! 
Note: This lunch is best when paired with the bisque as a warm dip!

Tried & Rated: We Tried Everything So You Don’t Have To

We couldn’t resist grabbing all the seasonal Trader Joe’s goodies to see what’s worth packing. Here’s our honest take from a parent’s perspective on the fall favorites you’ll want to grab and how to make them even better.

Pumpkin Spice Joe-Joes

These cookies deliver serious fall flavor with plenty of ginger and nutmeg in every bite. For some kids, the intensity of the flavor might be a little overpowering, but grown-ups and adventurous eaters will love the cozy fall flavors.

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese Balls

Don’t be fooled by the name. These golden bites don’t have a strong squash flavor, which actually makes them great for picky eaters. They bake up with a light, satisfying crunch and a mild, creamy center that’s perfect for dipping. We recommend pairing them with Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque for an extra burst of flavor.

Harvest Apple Salad

This salad is a fresh take on fall greens that feels crisp and comforting at the same time. The sweet apple slices and tangy dressing make it surprisingly kid-friendly, while the mix of textures keeps it fun to eat. It’s a great option for adding a little variety to the lunch routine without much prep.

Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque

Rich, velvety, and full of fall flavor. The seasoning is spot on, though the bisque's heartiness can be powerful on it's own. Our favorite hack is to use it as a warm dip for grilled cheese or mac and cheese bites. It turns a simple lunch into something cozy and satisfying without any extra effort.

Ghost Chips

Light, crispy, and perfectly spooky. The texture is fun, and the shapes make them an instant hit with kids. The flavor itself is mild, almost like veggie straws, which makes them ideal for pairing with dips or serving to picky eaters who prefer simpler snacks.

Harvest Salsa

This salsa packs a flavorful punch with warm, autumn spices and a subtle sweetness from the seasonal ingredients. It’s a fun fall twist for grown-ups, but might be a little too spicy for young or spice-sensitive kids. For little ones, try swapping it out for a favorite mild dip instead.