Your Back-to-School Survival Kit: Easy Meals, Packed Lunches, and More

September is here, and with it comes early mornings, busy evenings, and what feels like a never-ending lunchbox rotation. Whether you're navigating the first week of kindergarten or just trying to keep up with another packed family calendar, mealtime can quickly become just one more thing on your to-do list.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

At Antipastos, we’re here to make real life easier (and a lot more delicious). We can’t do the school drop-offs, but we can handle the meal and take one thing off your plate (literally). From ready-made dinners to lunch-friendly grocery picks, here’s your go-to guide for tackling the back-to-school season without breaking a sweat.

Dinner, Done: Heat-and-Eat Meals for Busy Nights

The after-school scramble is real. On weeknights when time is tight, our house-made frozen meals are your shortcut to a hot, satisfying dinner. These ready-made meals are perfect for busy families looking for real food that tastes homemade. Made right here in our kitchen, our frozen entrees are crafted with care and packed with flavour.

Need something the whole family will eat? Stock your freezer with classics like:

• Lasagna Bolognese

• Eggplant Parmigiana

• Chicken Alfredo

• Stuffed Shells

  
  

Just heat, serve, and enjoy—no prep required! Prefer something hot and fresh? Our Hot Table is stocked daily with rotating favourites that are perfect for grab-and-go dinners. Whether you’re craving chicken parm or a hearty side of roasted veggies, we’ve got something for everyone.

💡 Tip: Pick up a family-sized entrée and pair it with one of our house-made desserts (like biscotti or cannoli) for a complete dinner-and-dessert win.

School Lunch Prep = Solved

If you’ve ever stared blankly into a lunchbox at 7 a.m., wondering what to pack that’s both nutritious and fun for your kids, you’re not alone. That’s why we stock a wide selection of lunchbox-ready groceries to make school mornings a little smoother.

Here are some easy school lunch ideas Niagara parents love:

• Fresh focaccia sandwiches from our bakery

• Mini pasta salads made in-house

• Deli meats and cheeses sliced to order

• Individually packed snacks and fruit cups

• House-made soups (great for thermoses!)

  
  

Simply mix and match to keep things interesting! No need to reinvent the wheel every morning.

Real Food, Ready When You Are

From easy school lunch ideas to heat-and-serve dinners, our team is here to help you feed your family well. Our ready-made meals, hot table favourites, and lunch-friendly grocery picks bring homemade flavour to your back-to-school routine, without the extra prep.

Making Mealtime Enjoyable

Mealtime should be a time for connection. It’s an opportunity to sit down together and share stories from the day. With our meals, you can focus on what truly matters—spending quality time with your family.

Healthy Choices for Growing Kids

Nutrition is important, especially for growing kids. Our meals are made with wholesome ingredients. You can feel good about what you’re serving. Plus, our lunchbox options are designed to be both fun and nutritious.

Convenience Without Compromise

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key. Our meals offer a solution that doesn’t compromise on quality. You can enjoy delicious food without spending hours in the kitchen.

So take a breath. You’ve got this. And lucky for you, you’ve got us, too!

Stop by Antipastos in St. Catharines and see what’s fresh, hot, and ready to go!