24 Things Every ’60s Louisiana Kid Had in Their Lunchbox

For Louisiana kids in the ‘60s, lunchtime wasn’t just about eating. It was a break from class and a chance to show off what you brought.

So go ahead—crack open that imaginary lunchbox and see if your childhood snack is still inside.

A Classic PB&J on White Bread

No lunchbox in the ’60s was complete without the sticky comfort of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

It was usually made with soft white bread that squished a little in your hand, and no one cared if the crust was still on.

Sometimes the jelly bled through the bread by lunch. But that just made it sweeter.

You didn’t trade this sandwich; it was too good to give away.

A Wax Paper-Wrapped Baloney Sandwich

Baloney was the unsung hero of the American lunch.

It came cold, layered with American cheese, and maybe a dab of mustard if your parents got fancy.

Wrapped in wax paper instead of plastic, it had a certain “soggy charm” by noon, but kids didn’t mind.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it filled you up and tasted like home.

Fritos or Potato Chips

Chips were the crunchy treasure at the bottom of every lunchbox.

Fritos, Lay’s, or maybe some off-brand variety—it didn’t matter. As long as they were salty and loud.

Sometimes they came in a mini bag. Sometimes they were just a handful tossed into a sandwich baggie.

If you had chips, your lunch was golden.

A Ding Dong or Hostess Cupcake

Snack cakes were the ultimate flex in the cafeteria.

Hostess Cupcakes with their signature swirl, or a foil-wrapped Ding Dong that melted just a little too easily in the sun.

These weren’t just desserts. They were status symbols.

You either guarded them with your life or traded them for three other snacks.

An Apple—Even If You Didn’t Eat It

Every lunchbox had the obligatory apple.

It was usually Red Delicious, bruised from bouncing around all morning, and only sometimes eaten.

Still, it was there. Because parents felt better adding “something healthy.”

It added weight, rolled around, and occasionally stained your napkin red.

A Small Carton or Can of Juice

Forget juice boxes. They weren’t even a thing at the beginning of the ’60s.

Kids had mini cans of Hi-C or cartons of orange drink, with pull tabs that cut your fingers if you weren’t careful.

They didn’t stay cold for long, but they tasted like liquid sunshine.

Bonus points if yours came with a little bendy straw taped to the side.

A Thermos Full of Mystery

Every lunchbox set came with a matching thermos, usually filled with soup, milk, or something that didn’t travel well.

You’d unscrew the top and hope for the best.

Chicken noodle? Score. Tomato? Eh. Lukewarm milk? Nightmare fuel.

Still, having a thermos meant your lunchbox was complete.

Cheese and Crackers from a Red Stick Pack

Cheese and crackers in the little plastic pack with the tiny red stick to spread the cheese? Iconic.

It wasn’t exactly “real” cheese, but no one cared.

The crackers were crumbly, the cheese was neon orange, and the whole thing felt oddly satisfying to eat.

And if someone offered to trade for it? You probably said no.

A Hard-Boiled Egg Wrapped in Foil

It sounds odd today, but hard-boiled eggs were a common lunch item.

Wrapped in foil, they were protein-packed and totally normal… until they made the lunchbox smell like sulfur.

Still, kids ate them happily, peeling the shells and tossing them in a napkin.

They were nutritious, easy, and didn’t need a fridge. A lunchbox win.

A Folded Napkin With Your Name on It

This wasn’t food, but it mattered.

Moms or dads would sometimes pack a napkin folded just so, maybe with a note or your initials scribbled in pen.

It wasn’t just for wiping your face. It was a reminder that someone cared.

It gave your lunch a little heart—something kids remembered long after the sandwiches were gone.

A Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

This Elvis-approved combo was a lunchtime hit for some kids.

Bananas got mushy fast, but that didn’t stop parents from slicing them into sandwiches with a thick smear of peanut butter.

The result was sticky, sweet, and surprisingly filling.

Bonus: it didn’t need refrigeration. Perfect for metal lunchboxes sitting in warm classrooms all morning.

A Sandwich in a Plastic Bread Bag

Before resealable sandwich bags were everywhere, some parents reused old bread bags to wrap lunches.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it did the job.

You’d often find your sandwich rattling around with crumbs from last week’s loaf.

It was thrifty, practical, and very much a ’60s parent move.

A Pack of Candy for “Dessert”

Sometimes it was Smarties. Other times, it was Necco Wafers or a roll of Life Savers.

A little candy in your lunchbox felt like hitting the jackpot.

Not every parent allowed it, but if yours did, you were definitely more popular at the lunch table.

Those tiny sugar hits made the afternoon a little sweeter.

A Homemade Cookie That Crumbled

Whether it was oatmeal raisin, peanut butter with a fork crosshatch, or a chocolate chip cookie made with margarine, homemade treats were gold.

They didn’t always survive the trip from kitchen to classroom intact.

But even in pieces, they were loved.

The best ones had that just-barely-browned bottom and a napkin stuck to them.

A Pack of Raisins That Nobody Really Wanted

The little red box of Sun-Maid raisins was a staple in the ’60s, but not a favorite.

They stuck together. They were chewy. And they felt like a letdown when your friend had a cookie.

Still, they showed up in lunchboxes again and again.

Sometimes they were traded. Sometimes they just went home uneaten.

A Cold Hot Dog in a Bun

It sounds strange now, but some ’60s kids got cold hot dogs packed right into a bun.

No ketchup. No mustard. Just the dog and the bread, maybe wrapped in foil or wax paper.

If you were lucky, it was at least cooked first.

It wasn’t gourmet, but it got the job done.

A Slice of Leftover Meatloaf or Fried Chicken

’60s parents didn’t waste food, so dinner leftovers often found their way into lunchboxes.

Cold meatloaf sandwiches, fried chicken thighs, or even a slab of Spam between bread.

You didn’t always know what to expect, but you ate it.

Leftovers were practical, filling, and a very common surprise.

A Wedge of Velveeta Cheese

Not string cheese. Not sharp cheddar. Just a thick, square-cut slice of Velveeta.

It came wrapped in wax paper, sometimes paired with crackers, sometimes just eaten as-is.

Kids loved the creamy texture, even if they weren’t totally sure it was actual cheese.

It was a very ’60s thing, and it stuck around for decades.

A Pickle in a Baggie

Big, juicy, and definitely leaky.

Some parents tossed a dill pickle into a sandwich bag, and by lunchtime, it had soaked half the contents of the lunchbox.

Still, kids loved the salty crunch and bold flavor.

If you had one, you probably needed a napkin… or two.

A Can of Vienna Sausages

Straight from the pantry shelf to your lunchbox.

These salty little sausages came in a pull-tab can and didn’t need to be heated up.

Some kids ate them with crackers. Others just went in with a fork.

It wasn’t for everyone. But for some households, it was a regular protein pick.

A Banana with a Bruised Peel

No lunch was complete without some kind of fruit, and bananas were a go-to.

But in a hard lunchbox, they didn’t stand a chance.

By lunchtime, they were brown and smushed, but still edible enough.

You either ate it fast… or pretended you didn’t see it.

A Slice of Pound Cake Wrapped in Foil

Store-bought or homemade, pound cake was a popular sweet treat.

It was heavy, buttery, and often found wrapped in foil next to your sandwich.

If your lunch came with a slice, it meant your parent went the extra mile.

Even crumbled, it was worth savoring.

A Small Container of Cottage Cheese

Yes, really. Cottage cheese made its way into many ’60s lunchboxes.

It might’ve been packed in a little reusable container, often with pineapple chunks or just plain with a sprinkle of pepper.

It wasn’t every kid’s favorite, but it was considered healthy and filling.

And if your lunch didn’t come with dessert, cottage cheese sometimes had to count as one.

A Tiny Salt Packet or Wrapped Plastic Spoon

Tucked next to your napkin or stuffed into the corner of your lunchbox, these little extras were everywhere.

A white plastic spoon wrapped in thin paper. A salt packet scavenged from a diner. Maybe even a toothpick.