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A mum and dietitian is on a mission to make the morning school rush easier for time-poor parents by providing healthy lunchbox options for children.
Cara Aprile, 35, from Brisbane, launched Lilly’s Little Lunchbox in September 2021 and in the first months alone the brand had hundreds of greatorders.
The business idea struck one day when Cara was preparing her daughter Lilly’s lunchbox for daycare, but it took seven years of planning to get the brand up and running.
‘Lilly’s Little Lunchbox came about as I have always had a passion for preparing healthy meals for my own daughter,’ Cara told FEMAIL.
‘This paired with being a dietitian and always working full-time is where the idea came from.’
Cara invested more than eight months of expenses into the business and quit her job last year to focus on the idea – and hasn’t looked back since.
Mum Cara Aprile, 35, from Brisbane, (pictured right with daughter) launched Lilly’s Little Lunchbox in September 2021 and in the first months alone the brand had hundreds of orders
‘Lilly’s Little Lunchbox came about as I have always had a passion for preparing healthy meals for my own daughter,’ Cara told FEMAIL
The brand now offers a variety of pre-packed lunchboxes to be delivered to customers – with three, four and five-day lunch packs to choose from along with sandwich packs and smoothies
The company aims to eliminate the stress of preparing daily lunches and delivers ready-made nourishing meals for kids straight to your door.
With a passion for supporting the health and wellness of others, it took one month to prepare the recipes with Lilly being the taste tester.
‘I involve Lilly on a regular basis, she is our CIO – Chief Ideas Officer after all, as a sounding board and final tick of approval in terms of the look, feel, taste and appeal of our meals,’ Cara said.
The brand now offers a variety of pre-packed lunchboxes to be delivered to customers – with three, four and five-day lunch packs available to choose from.
Similarly to meal delivery services for adults – such as Hello Fresh and Marley Spoon – Lilly’s Little Lunchbox takes the stress out of planning and prepping meals.
Prices range from $9.95 for a sandwich box complete with snacks up to $72.50 for five days worth of lunches, and delivery is free for orders more than $100 otherwise a $10 fee is charged.
The sandwich boxes are also deemed to be the perfect option for fussy eaters while the grazing boxes are a delicious healthy snack option.
There’s also a range of pre-made smoothies available.
Through trial and error Cara was able to understand what food combinations work best and what fruits travel well.
Sandwich box – includes one sandwich, rice crackers or pretzel sticks, cheese fruit and mini muffin – $9.95
Grazing box – two options with various snacks such as fruit, cheese, hummus dip, rice crackers and raw veggie sticks – $8.95
Delivery fee – $10 for orders under $100
Through trial and error Cara was able to understand what food combinations work best and what fruits travel well
Feeling nervous but excited at the start, Cara said she hoped to receive 10 orders but was surprised when hundreds rolled in after launching
Feeling nervous but excited at the start, Cara said she hoped to receive 10 orders but was surprised when hundreds rolled in after launching.
‘The first few months were so exciting, watching our first customers come through our website, browse our menu and checkout was a thrill,’ Cara said.
‘But more importantly, receiving the overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents struggling to encourage variety in their children’s diets, the elderly, and carers of children with sensory issues, have reinforced where I am here.’
Since launch the brand has received more than 40,000 unique visitors to the website and online the business has been described as ‘a parent’s lifesaver’.
‘The first few months were so exciting, watching our first customers come through our website, browse our menu and checkout was a thrill,’ Cara said
‘Our menu is designed with the core five food groups in mind – fruit, vegetables, protein, healthy fats, dairy and grains to help our customers reach their daily nutrient intakes,’ Cara said.
‘All of our meals are made fresh to order & are designed to be fuss-free, just grab and go.’
Ten months post-launch and the brand now has potential to reach different demographics, not just school children.
Cara said: ‘We have found that everyday adults plus elderly people who live on their own are seeking our services along with those within the weight loss community have been seeking our services too.’
Currently the service is only available in Brisbane and 1248 postcodes the Sunshine Coast through to Byron Bay, with plans to extend to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT
Currently the service is only available in Brisbane and 1248 postcodes the Sunshine Coast through to Byron Bay, with plans to extend to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT.
Cara said while home delivery is the core of the business, schools have shared interest in providing the service to schools too.
To view the menus and order your first box, click here.
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