I want to start a Lunch Box Co-op. The idea is this: Get together with two or more other people. Let's say I ask Elisa and Anna to do this with me. Every week, each of us would choose two lunches and make enough for three people. I think the lunches would have to be freezable or at least last in the fridge for a week.

Anyway, once a week we'd meet and trade. That way I'd come away with six lunches: two of mine, two of Elisa's and two of Anna's. They'd each come away with six meals as well.

I'm excited about this idea partly because it would save me from eating frozen dinners (not many cheap brands carry vegetarian options) and pilfering from the pastry case at work.

Also, I'm pretty sure this could really save money, since buying separate ingredients for six different meals gets expensive and wasteful ... buying for only two saves cash. Also, it would save time, since it's easier to cook two meals of three servings than six meals of one serving (this is starting to sound like a third grade math problem).

Maybe this is all too complicated, and it wouldn't really work. But I think it's worth a try. Besides the savings, it has the possibility of exposing us to new dishes. It would save waste for those of us who eat out or buy frozen boxed dinners regularly. And there's something nice about eating food a friend has prepared for you.

Logistically, I think this would work best for people who see each other regularly or live near each other. I want to start it for my neighborhood. So, if anyone lives near here and is interested in joining the Lunch Box Co-op, let me know. The more of us there are, the cheaper and easier it will be.