The Ultimate Back-to-School Grocery List

The following guide was written by Heinen’s partner Alex Miles.

Summer isn’t over yet, but back-to-school season is in full swing. Soon enough, families will be settling back into the routine of early morning breakfasts, packing lunches and running out the door for the day.

While it’s easy to get caught up in school supply lists filled with pens, paper, notebooks and more, you don’t want to forget about daily meal and snack planning.
Fortunately, our back-to-school grocery list is updated with must-have brands perfect for the whole family.

Check out all of the foods and drinks we recommend for a strong start to the new school year.

1. Bumble Bee Snack on the Run Salad Kits
Protein can be one of the hardest foods to fit into kids’ lunches. Fortunately, Bumble Bee Snack on the Run Salad Kits make it as simple as ABC.

These healthy pouches pack loads of nutrients and conveniently come with crackers for easy eating. Delicious and wholesome, snacking smart has never been so simple! Located near the canned tuna.

Available in Tuna Salad Snack on the Run and Chicken Salad Snack on the Run.

2. General Mills Cereal
Sometimes, the smartest breakfast option is the easiest one for on-the-go families: a bowl of cereal.

General Mills is a breakfast time staple – and for good reason. Their cereals are delicious and affordable. Plus, the brand has been around for more than 150 years and continues to serve up spoonfuls of crunchy delight with every bite. Grab a box (or three) of classic favorites like Cheerios, Chex, Cocoa Puffs, Lucky Charms and more! Located in the Cereal Aisle.

Available in Cheerios (Multiple Varieties), Chex (Multiple Varieties), Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Reese’s Puffs, Golden Grahams, Cocoa Puffs and Cookie Crisp.

3. Nature Valley Granola Bars
Busy kids – and their equally busy parents – need nutritious, reliable snacks between meals and after school activities. That’s why we recommend Nature Valley Granola Bars, the optimal on-the-go option for a satisfying snack you can feel good eating.

Filled with natural ingredients such as oats, nuts, seeds, raisins, etc., these bars are made to boost energy whenever and wherever you need it. Best of all, we carry a plethora of Nature Valley options, from sweet to savory to soft-baked to crunchy. Even the pickiest eaters will find a bar they can’t wait to try. Located the Breakfast Aisle.

Available in Honey Granola Bar, Sweet and Salty Dark Chocolate Granola Bar with Peanuts and Almonds, Sweet Peanut Granola Bar, Sweet and Salty Cashew Granola Bar, Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Soft Baked Oatmeal Squares, Peanut Butter Granola Bar, Honey Peanut Butter Breakfast Biscuits, Cinnamon Almond Butter Breakfast Biscuit, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bar and Almond and Dark Chocolate Protein Bar.

4. Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
A pack of fruit snacks is a tasty treat for lunch boxes, after school snacks and sports sidelines. Kids particularly love the fruity fixtures from Betty Crocker, which come shaped like their favorite cartoon and movie characters. Even better, the fruit snacks are gluten free, and part of your purchase supports schools and teachers, making them a no-brainer to add to your shopping cart. Located in the Snack Aisle.

Available in Fruit Roll-Ups (Hot Colors and Variety Pack), SpongeBob Fruit Snacks and Scooby Doo Fruit Snacks.

5. Icelandic Provisions Skyr Yogurt
Did you know that Skyr is a yogurt eaten by Icelanders for nearly 1,000 years? Yogurt lovers continue to enjoy this ancient dairy snack, known for its thick texture, creamy deliciousness and healthy nutrients.

While it is often compared to traditional yogurt, Icelandic Provisions Skyr is different. First, it’s made with heirloom cultures originating from Iceland. Next, every serving contains up to 17 grams of protein and 30 percent less sugar than other yogurts. It fills you up and promotes energy so you can handle whatever the day has in store. Finally, every spoonful offers a rich, smooth texture that will have you sticking to nutritious Skyr forever. Located in the Dairy Department.

Available in Plain, Raspberry, Strawberry & Lingonberry, Peach & Cloudberry, Key Lime, Cherry & Blackberry Currant, Wild Blueberry & Bilberry, Coconut, Blackberry & Boysenberry, Extra Creamy Lemon, Extra Creamy Cold Brew Coffee and Extra Creamy Vanilla Bean.

6. Heinen’s Authentic Sweet Belgian Waffle
Perfect for busy mornings, our authentic, European-style waffles are what breakfast dreams are made of. Not only do they taste delicious, but they’re individually packaged, ready to eat and free of preservatives, artificial flavors and synthetic colors.

Whether you’re craving a wholesome breakfast or want to pair them with fried chicken for dinner, we’re positive the whole family will love these sweet waffles. Located in the Bakery Department.

7. Heinen’s Trail Mix Sleeves
Full of nuts, seeds and dried fruit, our Trail Mix Sleeves easily pack into backpacks, lunch boxes and athletic bags for a nutritious snack. These sleeves taste like a treat but are actually a healthier, more energizing alternative to cookies and chips for hard-working kids and families. Located in the Snack Aisle.

Available in Mountain Trail Mix, Energy Trail Mix and Cranberry Trail Mix.

8. Heinen’s Premium Orange Juice
A great morning starts with a big glass of OJ. Heinen’s Premium Orange Juice is made from only the freshest oranges, not from concentrate, and it’s pasturized, which allows for a longer shelf life. It’s cleaner than typical refrigerated juices and offers a healthy dose of vitamin C to begin the school day. Located in the Dairy Department.

Remember, the secret to building a solid lunch box doesn’t lie in following fussy recipes. Instead, it’s about buying classic products from trusted brands that deter any school year slump. We hope you and your family stock up on these staples and have a wonderful start to the school year!