Welcome back, Buffs.

Move-in is happening, Boulder is filling up again, and CU Boulder classes begin Thursday, August 20. Before long, campus will be buzzing, lunch lines will be growing and dining dollars may start disappearing faster than expected.

But eating well between classes does not have to mean spending a fortune or settling for another boring grab-and-go meal.

Late summer is one of the best times of the year to eat in Boulder. Colorado peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes, greens and other seasonal favorites make it easy to turn a handful of simple ingredients into a real lunch in less than ten minutes.

A stop at the Boulder Farmers Market or Ideal Market on Alpine Avenue can give students plenty of possibilities for quick meals that are fresh, portable and easy to assemble.

Here are five DIY lunch kits to get the semester started.

1. Peach + Prosciutto + Arugula Wrap

Grab a ripe Western Slope peach, a few slices of prosciutto or thinly sliced ham, a handful of arugula or mixed greens, and a soft tortilla.

Slice the peach, layer everything together, add a light drizzle of olive oil or honey if you want, and roll.

Sweet, salty, fresh and finished in about three minutes. It is perfect for eating outside between classes while Boulder is still enjoying those beautiful late-summer afternoons.

2. Corn, Black Bean & Avocado Power Bowl

Colorado sweet corn is one of the great tastes of late summer.

Combine cooked corn kernels, black beans, one ripe avocado and a squeeze of fresh lime. Add a pinch of salt and scoop everything over leftover rice or quinoa if you want a more substantial meal.

It is colorful, filling and ridiculously easy to make.

Pack it cold in an insulated lunch bag with a frozen water bottle or ice pack, and you have a legitimate lunch ready to go when hunger hits.

3. Caprese Mason Jar

This one looks impressive but takes almost no effort.

Combine cherry tomatoes—or larger tomatoes cut into chunks—with fresh mozzarella and a few basil leaves. Layer everything in a jar or reusable container and add a splash of balsamic vinegar or olive oil.

Keep it chilled, then shake it up when you are ready to eat.

It feels a little fancy, costs far less than many prepared lunches and tastes like Boulder in late summer.

4. Green Chile Turkey Roll-Ups

For a Colorado twist on the traditional sandwich, grab sliced turkey, a little roasted green chile and either tortillas or large lettuce leaves.

Spread a small amount of chile over the turkey, roll everything together and you are finished.

No stove. No complicated preparation. No pile of dishes.

Pack the roll-ups cold and you have an easy Colorado-inspired lunch that can travel from your dorm or apartment straight to campus.

5. Overnight Oat Jar

Not every lunch has to look like lunch.

Combine rolled oats with milk or yogurt, a spoonful of local honey and whatever berries or Colorado peaches look best. Stir everything together the night before, refrigerate it and grab the jar on your way out the door.

Add a handful of nuts or seeds in the morning for extra crunch and staying power.

This one is especially useful during the chaotic first few weeks of school when schedules are changing, mornings are rushed and finding time for a decent meal can become an afterthought.

One Small Investment: A Cooler Bag

A small soft-sided insulated bag and frozen water bottle or ice pack can make these lunches much easier to carry safely around campus.

The USDA recommends keeping perishable foods cold and using an insulated lunch bag with cold sources. That is especially important for lunches containing deli meat, dairy products or cut produce.

Keep it simple: make the meal, keep it cold and throw it in your backpack.

Boulder is handing us some of the best seasonal produce of the year right now. Take advantage of it while it lasts.

And if you are new to town, food is only one part of discovering this place. From local restaurants and outdoor adventures to campus life and the people who make this community unique, AboutBoulder is your guide to everything Boulder.

What is your go-to back-to-school lunch move? Drop it in the comments. We will round up some of the best ideas and share them with the rest of the herd.

Welcome home, Buffs. Let’s eat well.

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