National Make Lunch Count Day – Apr. 13, 2027

National Make Lunch Count Day
Categories:
Tags:
Food
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every April 13
Holiday emoji:
🥪

National Make Lunch Count Day arrives every April 13, urging us to reclaim the midday meal as a vital part of our day. Don’t let lunch become an afterthought; use this day to fuel your body and mind. Plan a healthy meal, step away from your desk, and savor the break.

Want to sponsor National Make Lunch Count Day? Learn how

Expected National Make Lunch Count Day Deals

While specific 2027 promotions are still emerging, National Make Lunch Count Day typically sees quick-service restaurants and healthy eateries offering special deals. Look for discounts at chains like Subway, Panera Bread, and Sweetgreen, often featuring combo meals or loyalty program bonuses. Food delivery services such as DoorDash and Uber Eats may also run promotions to encourage midday orders. Grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s often highlight grab-and-go options or meal kit discounts. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 13 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Make Lunch Count Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #MakeLunchCount. Share photos of your delicious and productive lunch breaks, healthy meal prep, or favorite local lunch spots.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #MakeLunchCount. Create short videos showcasing quick lunch recipes, desk lunch hacks, or funny skits about avoiding skipped meals.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #MakeLunchCount. Ask your community to share their best lunch tips, favorite recipes, or local restaurant recommendations.

Social Media Tips for National Make Lunch Count Day

Individuals

Commit to taking a full, uninterrupted lunch break. Pack a healthy meal, try a new restaurant, or simply step outside for some fresh air to truly make your lunch count.

Creators

Develop content around meal prepping for a week of healthy lunches, reviewing local eateries' lunch specials, or demonstrating how to create a balanced meal in under 15 minutes.

Brands

Launch a 'Lunchtime Challenge' encouraging followers to share their lunch experiences for a chance to win prizes. Restaurants can offer special 'Make Lunch Count' menus or discounts.

Top Brands for National Make Lunch Count Day

  1. Subway

    Founded in 1965 by Fred DeLuca in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Subway is one of the world's largest fast-food chains, famous for its customizable submarine sandwiches, salads, and wraps. It offers quick, often healthier, lunch options for busy individuals.

  2. Panera Bread

    Panera Bread, founded in 1987 in Kirkwood, Missouri, is a popular fast-casual restaurant chain known for its freshly baked bread, sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries. It provides a comfortable environment for a relaxed and wholesome lunch experience.

  3. Sweetgreen

    Sweetgreen, established in 2007 by Nicolas Jammet, Nathaniel Ru, and Jonathan Neman, is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in salads and grain bowls made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. It caters to health-conscious consumers seeking nutritious lunch options.

  4. DoorDash

    Founded in 2013 by Stanford students Tony Xu, Andy Fang, Stanley Tang, and Evan Moore, DoorDash is a leading food delivery service. It connects customers with local restaurants, making it easier to order and receive lunch directly to their homes or offices.

  5. Whole Foods Market

    Founded in 1978 in Austin, Texas, by John Mackey and Renee Lawson Hardy, Whole Foods Market is a supermarket chain specializing in natural and organic foods. It offers a wide array of high-quality ingredients and prepared foods perfect for a healthy lunch.

  6. Lunchables

    Introduced by Oscar Mayer in 1988, Lunchables are a popular brand of prepackaged lunch kits primarily marketed to children. They offer a convenient, ready-to-eat meal solution, embodying the simplicity of a packed lunch.

  7. Tupperware

    Founded by Earl Silas Tupper in 1946, Tupperware is a global brand known for its airtight plastic food storage containers. These products have revolutionized meal prep and packing lunches, helping countless individuals bring homemade meals to work or school.

National Make Lunch Count Day Hero

Ellen Swallow Richards

Ellen Swallow Richards (1842–1911) was a pioneering American industrial and environmental chemist who applied scientific principles to domestic life, founding the field of home economics. She championed the importance of nutrition, sanitation, and efficient household management. Her work on balanced diets and food purity laid the groundwork for understanding how proper nourishment, including a well-planned lunch, contributes to overall health and productivity, directly aligning with the spirit of making lunch count.

National Make Lunch Count Day timeline

1755
Snack-Time (Sort of)

Samuel Johnson defines lunch as “as much food as one’s hand can hold.”

1850s
Lunch Becomes a Staple

During this period, lunch becomes a regular thing between breakfast and dinner.

2015
Lunches + Littles

Joy begins posting creative lunches for kids on her Instagram page Lunches + Littles.

2016
National Make Lunch Count Day

TGI Fridays initiates this day to remind Americans about the importance of lunch during a working day.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Make Lunch Count Day

Local businesses can encourage employees to prioritize their midday meal by offering incentives or creating dedicated lunch spaces. Restaurants could feature special ‘Make Lunch Count’ menus with healthy, quick options, or partner with local offices for catering deals. Wellness companies might host workshops on meal prepping or mindful eating during lunch breaks. Emphasize the benefits of a refreshed workforce, promoting both physical and mental well-being.

National Make Lunch Count Day FAQs

When is National Make Lunch Count Day?

In 2027, National Make Lunch Count Day is observed on Tuesday, April 13, providing an ideal opportunity to reset our midday routines and enjoy a fulfilling meal.

How many Americans regularly skip lunch?

While exact figures fluctuate, recent surveys indicate that around 20% of the U.S. workforce regularly foregoes a dedicated lunch break, highlighting the need for days like this.

What are the benefits of a productive lunch break?

Taking a proper lunch break can significantly boost workplace productivity and morale, allowing individuals to return to their work feeling refreshed and more engaged.

What's the difference between lunch and brunch?

The key distinction lies in timing and composition: lunch is a standard daily meal, whereas brunch is a more leisurely, often celebratory, hybrid meal enjoyed later in the morning.

National Make Lunch Count Day Activities

  1. Arrange a group lunch

    Why not do it together? National Make Lunch Count Day is the perfect excuse to arrange that group lunch that your coworkers have been talking about for months.

  2. Buy a lunch for someone who can't

    While many of us can afford that sandwich, there are a lot of us who can't. If you're in a position to help, consider buying lunch for someone near you who might otherwise struggle to pay for it themselves.

  3. Plan your next week's lunches

    Lunch often becomes an afterthought once you're deep in a pile of work. Consider planning ahead to make sure you'll always have something nutritious to take you from breakfast to dinner!

Why We Love National Make Lunch Count Day

  1. It's a window to the world

    Lunch is the meal most often eaten away from home, and as such, we're usually around a different crowd of people. One way we can really make our lunches count is by finding ways to enjoy it with those around us.

  2. When breakfast gets in the way, lunch saves the day

    We've all had mornings where we're just too rushed to eat before taking off. If it weren't for our lunch breaks, there's no way we'd make it through those days. Lunch can serve as a much-needed afternoon pick-me-up when there's just no time for breakfast.

  3. It breaks up the day

    You'd have a hard time finding a worker who doesn't look forward to their lunch break! After breaking out of those morning blues, lunch can serve as a much-needed hiatus from the day that'll help carry us through to the end.

National Make Lunch Count Day dates

Year Date Day
2027 April 13 Tuesday
2028 April 13 Thursday
2029 April 13 Friday
2030 April 13 Saturday
2031 April 13 Sunday