Back-to-school season is here—and with it comes the return of rushed mornings, packed lunches, and the constant question: What’s for dinner? We know some of you are fully familiar with these kinds of days!
The good news? With a well-stocked pantry, bulk items, and a few smart habits, you can feed your family healthy, nourished meals and stay on budget all school year long.
At Country Life Foods, we believe healthy eating shouldn't be complicated or expensive. That’s why we love bulk pantry staples: they’re affordable, versatile, and perfect for simple, plant-based meals and snacks.
Here are 10 essential pantry staples plus tips for meal prep and smart shopping to make those rushed days a little less chaotic!
10 PANTRY STAPLES FOR BUSY SCHOOL DAYS
These items aren’t just nutritious—they’re also shelf-stable, meal-prep friendly, and perfect for breakfast, lunchboxes, after-school snacks, and weeknight dinners.
1. Rolled Oats
Good old oats are always budget-friendly and endlessly versatile. Use them for:
- Overnight oats (prep for the whole week!) Try this apple pie overnight oats recipe
- Homemade granola and granola bars. You'll love these no-bake homemade granola bars
- Oat pancakes or muffins. Kids will love these vegan oat banana pancakes
- Snack bars
- Smoothies
Meal prep tip: Mix up a big batch of baked oatmeal squares for grab-and-go breakfasts.
Read more: The benefits of oats for a balanced diet
2. Nut Butters
Kids love nut butters! And chocolate spreads, but we're focusing on healthier options here ;-) With healthy fats and naturally satisfying, they are great for:
- Spreading on toast or rice cakes
- Stirring into oatmeal or smoothies. Nut butter bliss: 3 smoothies to fuel your day
- Pairing with fruit slices
- Dipping with pretzels.
Budget tip: Buying nut butter in bulk saves big over time and avoids those mid-week “we’re out!” surprises.
Read more: Your guide to different nut and seed butter options
3. Whole Grains
Whole grains like brown rice and wheat berries are the backbone of budget-friendly dinners.
- Cook a big batch to use all week or freeze leftovers.
- Add to lunch bowls, wraps, or soups. Try this crunchy rice salad for a nutritious school lunch!
- Make veggie stir-fries or casseroles. This cranberry pecan sweet potato pilaf is great for a cozy dinner.
Meal prep tip: Freeze cooked rice or wheat berries in portioned containers for fast reheating.
Read more: Different types of wheat berries and how to use them
4. Whole Wheat Pasta
Pasta is quick to cook and endlessly adaptable. Kids also love them! Think:
- One-pot pasta dinners. We love this dairy-free lemon garlic pasta!
- Pasta salad for lunchboxes
- Hidden veggie sauces
Health tip: Choose whole wheat pasta, as it contains more fiber, keeping you fuller for longer. Avoiding gluten? Try pasta made from rice, quinoa, or cassava. All available on our online store!
5. Dry Beans or Lentils
Skip the cans—dry legumes are cheaper, tastier, and just as easy to use! Legumes are excellent plant-based protein options that will ensure healthy growth in these crucial growing stages in a kid's life. Use them for:
- Lentil tacos, bean chili, vegan patties, or soup. These leftover vegan patties are perfect for weekday burgers.
- Hummus or bean dips. You have to try this delicious beet hummus recipe!
- Add to salads and grain bowls.
Time-saver: Cook a large batch and freeze in portions—like DIY canned beans! Or get our Easy Meals like Cuban Black Bean Soup or Red Lentil Curry for a healthy, quick dinner!
Read more: Exploring 6 types of lentils and how to use them
6. Baking Essentials
Bulk baking staples make home baking more affordable. Homemade is better than store-bought anyway ;-)
- Choose whole wheat, oat, or gluten-free flours that fit your family's tastes and dietary needs.
- Fresh homemade bread is so yummy for an after-school sandwich! Make this yummy wheat berry bread with your bulk wheat berries ;-)
- Homemade muffins allow you to be in total control of all the ingredients. These wheat bran muffins with nuts and dried fruit are so delicious!
DIY idea: Involve your kids in weekend baking sessions to prep healthy muffins and bars for the week.
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7. Seeds and Nuts
Tiny but mighty nutrition boosters that are great for snacking or adding nutritional crunch to meals!
- Sprinkle on oatmeal or yogurt.
- Add to baked goods or granola.
- Stir into smoothies, smoothie bowls, or energy balls. Kids will love this chocolate protein smoothie bowl for breakfast.
- Enjoy on their own (our candied hazelnuts are a kid-approved winner!)
Tip: Chia seeds make great overnight puddings for a healthy sweet dessert and egg substitutes in vegan baking.
Read more: The best seeds for smoothies
GET YOUR FAVORITE NUTS AND SEEDS HERE
8. Dried Fruit
Naturally sweet and kid-approved, dried fruit is an excellent alternative to candy. 'Cause which kid doesn't like something sweet?? Think dried mango, apple slices, dates, and cherries!
- Add to trail mix, oats, or muffins.
- Use in no-bake energy bites or make these Medjool Date Snickers for a yummy treat.
- Sweeten homemade bars.
- Eat on their own as yummy sweet treat.
Lunchbox tip: Dried fruit keeps well, travels easily, and satisfies sweet cravings. Sounds good to us!
9. Natural Sweeteners
Natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, agave, date sugar, and coconut sugar can make baking or breakfast recipes a little healthier.
- Sweeten oats or pancakes.
- Use in muffins, bars, or smoothies.
- Add to DIY dressings or sauces.
Smart swap: Remember that sugar remains sugar ;-) but you can still reduce refined table sugar and keep flavors kid-friendly with these natural sweeteners.
Read more: 8 Types of natural sweeteners with their pros and cons
BUY YOUR PREFERRED NATURAL SWEETENER HERE
10. Healthy, Easy Snacking
Young or old, a snack is always welcome! When cravings creep up or packing lunch boxes, choose wholesome, quick, and affordable snacks.
- Air-pop popcorn and flavor with herbs or nutritional yeast.
- Swap chips ridden with saturated fats for healthier options like our sesame sticks or honey mustard soy sticks.
- Make homemade chips and spice with our Not Chicken Seasoning.
- Helps to avoid unhealthy prepackaged snacks when the munchies hit.
Snack prep: Pop a big batch of popcorn or make homemade tortilla chips on Sunday and store them in an airtight container.
Smart Meal Prep Tips for Back-to-School Success
Buy in bulk
------Buying in bulk helps you save money, reduce waste, and stay stocked so you can skip those emergency store runs.
Cook once, eat twice
------Double recipes and freeze extras for those "no time" nights.
Keep a snack bin
------Use clear containers or labeled jars to organize grab-and-go snacks kids can help pack.
Read more: 23 On-the-go healthy snack ideas
Batch your breakfasts
------Make overnight oatmeal jars, freeze smoothie packs, or bake baked goods ahead of time for efficient mornings.
Read more: 10 Yummy plant-based breakfast ideas
Use a meal plan template
------Even planning just 3–4 dinners a week gives structure and reduces decision fatigue and unhealthy takeouts.
Read more: The benefits of meal planning and how to get started
Try our Easy-Meal options
------Need quick yet still healthy meals for those chaotic days? We've got you! Our Easy Meals, like Cuban Black Bean Soup, Red Lentil Curry, and Sesame Oat Burger Mix, will be lifesavers!
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