As summer winds down, it's time to start planning for the upcoming school year. Take a look at your kids lunches and make this year the time for healthier options if they enjoy a packed lunch from home. Make sure the lunch is properly stored and packed with cold packs to keep the food safe to eat. Try this Fruit and Chicken Salad and add to your lunch rotation. Thanks to NC EFNEP for this recipe.

Fruit and Chicken Salad

• 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped
• 1 (20 – ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice, drained well
• 1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, in 100% fruit juice, drained
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup halved seedless grapes
• 1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 large lettuce leaves

1. in a large bowl, mix gently chicken, pineapple chunks, oranges, celery, and grapes.
2. In a separate bowl, mix low-fat mayonnaise and black pepper.
3. Gently stir mayonnaise into chicken mixture,
4. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator.
5. To serve, scoop 2/3 cup of chicken salad onto a lettuce leaf.