Start the school year with beans for good nutrition and a little bit of a lunchbox makeover.

• Pack a small container of bean dip made with pinto beans and cheese and include dippers like carrot sticks or apple slices.
• Add any type of beans to a thermos of macaroni and cheese or tomato soup.
• Make a crunchy bean salad by combining cooked beans with brown rice, chopped apples, nuts, and celery.
• For younger children, use cookie cutters to make white bean hummus sandwiches in fun shapes. If the bitter flavor of tahini is too strong for young palates, try making it with peanut or almond butter.