2015 Back-to-School Essentials Awards

{College Care Package} Gluten Free Bar Dark Chocolate Coconut Bites taste fantastic, and with lots of vegan protein they’re also filling, even though they’re bite-sized. 

{College Care Package} Alter Eco Salted Caramel Truffles are absolutely decadent, but can be eaten without guilt since they’re made with flavonoid-rich dark chocolate by an environmentally conscious company. 

{After-School Sustenance} Annie's Cookie Bites Chocolate Chip: A staffer shared them with her nephews, who proceeded to devour them. Made with organic wheat, non-GMO.

{After-School Sustenance} Bare Show Me the Honey Crunchy Coconut Chips: These baked chips are gluten free, Non-GMO Project verified, and have great, crunchy flavor. 

{Supplements} Carlson Kid’s Chewable DHA provides omega 3s in a chewable, orange-flavored soft-gel. Sustainably sourced from deep, coldwater fish.

{After-School Sustenance} Crunchmaster Multi-Grain Crackers, Sea Salt flavor, are light tasting but satisfying and very crunchy.

{College Care Package} Earth Science Clarifying Facial Wash is silky going on and leaves the face feeling fresh and clean. 

{Packables} Earth’s Best Organic Sunny Days Snack Bars were a favorite of two little boys we know, plus, they’re organic.

{College Care Package} Eco Lips Mongo Kiss Peppermint: Keeps lips moist even when you’re out in the sun, with no waxy feeling. Fair Trade and organic.

{Packables} Eden Pocket Snacks include a variety of satisfying treats in convenient, single-serve packages. 

{After-School Sustenance} Endangered Species Natural Almond Spread with Cocoa can top fruit, toast, even cookies for a decadent but good-for-them after-school treat.

{After-School Sustenance} Enjoy Life Plentils Sea Salt are crunchy, lively, and simple. They come in several flavors adults might like too.

{Personal Care} EO Coconut + Lemon Hand Sanitizer Spray is a natural, economical way to keep germs at bay. 

{Supplements} GaiaKids KidsDefense herbal drops support a healthy immune response when kids need it most.

{Packables} ginnybakes ginnyminis Butter Crisp Love Cookies are gluten free and organic, and they taste great. Snack-pack size for lunch bags.

{Supplements} GoodBelly Pomegranate Blackberry PlusShot offers probiotics, vitamins, and calcium in a great-tasting “shot.”

{Supplements} Hero Nutritionals Yummi Bears Fiber supports little ones’ digestive health, and they’re fun for kids to take.

{Packables} Honey Stinger Kids’ Organic Waffle Chocolate is soft and chewy, but the sophisticated cocoa-y finish means adults might find themselves sneaking one out of the cookie jar! 

{Packables} Late July Sea Salt by the Seashore Multigrain Tortilla Chips are feel-good snacking: You know they’re good for you (organic, multigrain), but they also taste good. 

{Packables} Lesser Evil Buddha Bowl Classic Cheddar Organic Popcorn is downright addictive, but comes in 100-calorie packages to keep snacking in check. 

{After-School Sustenance} Maison LeGrand pasta sauces make busy school night dinners quick and easy. Boil some pasta, pour on the sauce, and . . . BAM! Dinner is done. (A staff favorite.) 

{Supplements} Natural Vitality Kids Calm Multi offers food-derived vitamins, minerals, omega 3s, amino acids, and Natural Calm magnesium in one fruity liquid. 

{Supplements} Nature’s Answer Sambucus Kids: Elderberry, echinacea, and astragalus all support immunity, and kids won’t balk at taking this tasty formula

{Supplements} Nordic Naturals Omega Boost Junior helps support brain and nervous system development, along with immunity, in just a half-teaspoon per day. For kids 2 and up.

{Personal Care} Using NOW Solutions XyliWhite Strawberry Splash Toothpaste Gel for Kids may just mean your little ones don’t kick and scream about having their teeth brushed.

{Supplements} Rainbow Light Kid's One is a food-based multivitamin that comes with probiotics in a fruit punch–flavored chewable. 

{College Care Package} Sambazon Organic Strawberry + Lemon + Açai Berry Juice has a pleasant, sophisticated taste but is only 70 calories. 

{Packables} Simple Squares Cho-Coco organic nutrition bar is, simply, a great snack. 

{Supplements} UP4 Kids Cubes from UP4 Probiotics offer probiotics plus vitamin D in a chewy, yummy cube. 

{On The Web} ZÜCA Sport: Rolling book bags that help save kids’ backs—what a great idea! www.ZUCA.com