Grilled cheese, alphagetti, even mac and cheese were regular after school snacks for me. A box of krafat dinner split between 3 is less than 50 cents for a snack. Hot makes a difference. When you think about it these are foods that you would have served them for lunch had they been in care but instead they got sandwiches, carrot sticks, yogurt, granola bars, crackers and cheese - all the foods you are trying to serve now for their lunch at school. It is like reversing the day in that they are eating your hot lunch when they get home but yes it is cheaper than the snack foods. Even a cheap bag of frozen fries and give each a dish of ketchup an let them munch away - if it takes time it will also fill them up more too. But a bag of no name fries split between several kids is very little per serving. Ok so not the most nutritious but just using it as an example.