“I do feel a lot of guilt about the lunchboxes”: Exploring caregiver perceptions and experiences of packing school lunches
This study highlights the significant demands of lunchbox packing, as caregivers navigate multiple pressures from societal expectations, logistical challenges, and children's preferences with limited support. Participants found measuring up to lunchbox ideals challenging, feeling they must justify and manage their approaches accordingly. These findings emphasise the need for systemic approaches to better recognise and support the undervalued and complex work required to feed children on school days.
Authors
- Georgia Middleton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2456-9122)
- Crystal Seow
- Brittany J. Johnson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5492-9219)
- Jennifer Black
Institutions
- University of British Columbia (CA)
- Flinders University (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Appetite
- Published
- 2026-01-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2026.108441
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Early Childhood Education and Development
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 385.39