Yes.

The lunch bags aren't closed up in the fridge, are they?

never.

Yes,always

Yes, always.

I do, my kids like their fruit cold and I don't want to risk anything with deli meat.

Isn't it funny how concerned moms get over their grandkids when these things never occurred to them as parents?

I only use one if I'm packing something that shouldn't be at room temp too long like rice balls or veg sushi (bacillus cereus spores).

Anonymous wrote:My mom used to freeze cheese for my siblings lunches-string cheese, cheddar, etc. It would act like a mini ice pack in the AM, defrosting through the morning, and nice and cold, but not icy at lunch.

That was in Seattle, so it was never as warm as DC summers.

My mom used to freeze cheese for my siblings lunches-string cheese, cheddar, etc. It would act like a mini ice pack in the AM, defrosting through the morning, and nice and cold, but not icy at lunch.

Yes, I pack an ice pack as well as a water bottle with ice water in it. It's probably not a big deal in the winter but the food definitely gets warm when the weather is warm.

Yes, if there is deli meat, cheese, cut fruit, etc.

I do when I pack perishables but don't think it's always necessary.

I do, especially if I pack ham or turkey.

I pack a frozen gel pack. It stays frozen longer than water-based packs. It keeps her drinks cool, and that's what I use them for.

No. Food doesn't go bad that quickly.

I was packing lunches tonight and my mom, who is visiting, asked me if I was going to put an ice pack in my two boys' lunches (forget the fact that I never once had an ice pack in my lunch as a child, though not sure they were a thing in the 80s). Do you pack an ice pack in your child's lunch every day? I usually pack them turkey/cheese sandwiches, packed the night before in their insulated lunch bags. If it makes a difference, I take the bags out of the fridge at 8:40 and they eat around noon, maybe a little earlier.

Should I be packing an ice pack? Just curious as to what others do.