New Queensland fruit fly outbreaks declared – Salisbury North and Barmera B. Check your address on the outbreak map.

Packing lunches

If your school or workplace is in an outbreak area, you may be restricted with packing some fruit and vegetables.

If you are able to move restricted fruit and vegetables ensure they are disposed of in a green waste bin.

Lunchbox ideas

These food ideas for your lunchbox use fruits not restricted or prepared in ways that make them safe from fruit fly.

Fruit you can pack ideas

  • Cut fresh pineapple into chunks
  • Thread fresh melons, like watermelon, honeydew and rockmelon, onto icy pole sticks
  • Frozen fruit – try grapes, berries or mango for a refreshing snack
  • Cooked or stewed fruit – add some yoghurt on the side (remember to add an ice pack)
  • Canned fruit in natural juice or water
  • Dried fruits – not for everyday and keep these serves small (no more than 30g)

Other healthy snack ideas

  • Wholegrain crackers or safe veggie sticks (celery, carrot, cucumber, snow peas or green beans) with hummus, tzatziki or reduced-fat cream cheese (remember to pack with an ice pack)
  • Cheese and wholegrain crackers (remember to pack with an ice pack)
  • Tuna and wholegrain crackers
  • Veggie muffins, zucchini slice or frittata made with any leftover vegetables in the fridge
  • A small container (30g) of unsalted nuts and/or seeds
  • Peanut butter (no added salt and sugar) sandwich (try wholegrain or high fibre bread)
  • Air-popped popcorn, try different flavouring options such as:
    • garlic powder,
    • cinnamon and nutmeg,
    • garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chilli powder and paprika
  • Roasted chickpeas

These ideas are from Wellbeing SA, who have other advice about eating well.

How to continue eating enough fruit

If you can’t include fruit in your lunchbox due to fruit fly restrictions here are some other ways to ensure you still eat the recommended two serves a day.

Eat your favourite fruits at home:

  • serve fruit at breakfast (e.g. sliced fruit on top of wholegrain cereal and milk/yoghurt)
  • serve fruit after school for afternoon tea
  • serve freshly sliced fruit with a dollop of yoghurt, if you’re still hungry after dinner.
Page Last Reviewed: 08 Feb 2023
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