School Lunchbox: save $3.08 by splitting the shop
School Lunchbox came to $44.98 at Aldi, the cheapest store that could supply the whole basket. Buying each item wherever it was cheapest saved a further $3.08.
White Sandwich Sliced Bread 650g×2
Aldi$5.38
Tasty Cheese Slices 250g
Aldi$4.99
Community Co Ham Steaks
IGA$3.20
Tuna Chunks in Springwater 425g×4
Aldi$3.29
Kids Vanilla Yogurt Pouch 70g
Aldi$4.14
Muesli Bars 6 Pack 185g×2
Aldi$4.18
Australian Sultanas 6 Snack Pack
Aldi$2.49
Apple Juice 6 Pack 250ml
Aldi$3.15
Red Apples 1kg
Aldi$3.69
Mandarins 1kg
Aldi$2.99
Vegemite Kids Spread 220g
Woolworths$4.40Every item at all 4 stores
| Item | Coles | Woolworths | Aldi | IGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| white bread 700 g · × 2 | ||||
| tasty cheese slices 250 g | ||||
| ham 200 g | ||||
| tuna in springwater 95 g · × 4 | ||||
| yoghurt pouches 6 pack | ||||
| muesli bars 6 pack · × 2 | ||||
| sultanas 6 pack | ||||
| juice popper 6 pack | ||||
| apples 1 kg | ||||
| mandarins 1 kg | ||||
| vegemite 220 g | — |
Prices collected on 22 October 2026 from Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and IGA.
What the basket costs
| Store | Total | Items found |
|---|---|---|
| Aldi | $44.98 | all 11 |
| Woolworths | $48.98 | all 11 |
| Coles | $50.80 | 10, 1 missing |
| IGA | $55.90 | all 11 |
A store that could not supply every item is not directly comparable — a smaller basket is naturally cheaper.
The bigger saving
Buying each item at whichever store sold it cheapest came to $41.90, $3.08 below the $44.98 at Aldi — the cheapest shop that could actually fill the basket.
Every item
| Item | Cheapest | Store |
|---|---|---|
| white bread | $5.38 | Aldi |
| tasty cheese slices | $4.99 | Aldi |
| ham | $3.20 | IGA |
| tuna in springwater | $3.29 | Aldi |
| yoghurt pouches | $4.14 | Aldi |
| muesli bars | $4.18 | Aldi |
| sultanas | $2.49 | Aldi |
| juice popper | $3.15 | Aldi |
| apples | $3.69 | Aldi |
| mandarins | $2.99 | Aldi |
| vegemite | $4.40 | Woolworths |
Prices change daily. Search for any product to see today's.
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Frequently asked questions
Which supermarket is cheapest for school lunchbox items in Australia?
Aldi is the cheapest for this 11-item school lunchbox basket at $44.98, which is $4.00 less than Woolworths ($48.98) and $10.92 less than IGA ($55.90). Coles covered 10 of the 11 items for $50.80 but did not stock Vegemite.
How much does a school lunchbox cost per week at the supermarket?
Based on this 11-item basket of standard lunchbox staples, bread, ham, cheese slices, tuna, yoghurt pouches, muesli bars, sultanas, juice poppers, apples, mandarins, and Vegemite, you'll pay $44.98 at Aldi, $48.98 at Woolworths, or $55.90 at IGA per week.
Is it worth shopping at multiple supermarkets to save money on lunchbox items?
Cherry-picking the cheapest price on each item across Aldi, Woolworths, and IGA brings the basket down to $41.90, $3.08 less than buying everything at Aldi. For most families, that saving probably doesn't justify two extra stops unless you're already passing those stores.
Where is the cheapest place to buy muesli bars and juice poppers for school lunches?
Aldi is cheapest on both. Two six-packs of muesli bars cost $4.18 at Aldi versus $7.60 at Woolworths. A six-pack of juice poppers is $3.15 at Aldi, $3.30 at Woolworths, $4.90 at IGA, and $6.80 at Coles.