29 Jan 2026

As dawn breaks across Botswana, thousands of parents begin a familiar, frantic routine of rushing to get children ready, juggling work responsibilities and trying to pack lunchboxes that are nutritious, appealing and filling. 

For the founders of Lunchbox Hub,  Larona Mokgosi and  Thato Keipidile, this daily pressure point became the seed of a business that is quietly transforming school meal delivery. What began as a personal solution has blossomed into a 100 per cent female-owned enterprise dedicated to fueling the next generation.

Born out of the shared frustration of working parents, Lunchbox Hub addresses the challenge of providing balanced meals amidst demanding schedules.  Mokgosi, the company’s strategic partnerships and assurance manager, explains in an interview that the idea emerged as a response to the mental and physical strain of early mornings dominated by meal planning and grocery shopping.

“Since we genuinely enjoy cooking, we decided to turn that passion into a solution for other parents facing the same challenge,” says  Mokgosi.

Today, the company supplies packed meals to over 100 students across 24 schools in the Gaborone area.

“To ensure we balance out the children’s overall nutrition, especially their sugar intake, our menu is approved by a nutritionist and all our drinks are strictly served in 250ml bottles,” she adds.

From Monday to Thursday, the focus is on health, featuring 100 per cent fruit juice, zero-sugar iced tea and flavoured or still water. The menu rotates daily and includes beef stir-fry, penne pasta with chicken drumsticks, wraps, croissants stuffed with chicken mayo and fresh salads.

On Fridays, they enjoy a ‘cheat day’ called Fun Food Friday, where learners are served a small treat such as a mocktail, dessert, cupcake, slice of pizza or a lollipop. The attention to detail extends to the packaging. Each eco-friendly box is labelled with the child’s name and class and even includes educational stickers featuring matching games and fun facts to engage young minds during lunch.

Beyond convenience, Lunchbox Hub is rooted in social responsibility. Operations manager,  Keipidile highlights their Feed-a-Child initiative, where unused meals are donated to children in need.

“We are also planning to launch a Sponsor-a-School programme aimed at supporting government schools in underserved areas,” Keipidile adds.

Currently operating out of Block 8 Industrial in Gaborone, the company employs three Batswana chefs. While they have outsourced logistics to a local firm, Drop It Courier Services, they are leaning into technology, utilising a website and developing a mobile app to streamline ordering for busy parents.

“As parents ourselves, we understand the importance of knowing what our children eat daily. This is why our goal is peace of mind. Parents should feel confident that their children’s meals are nutritious and delivered on time,” she adds.

For one Gaborone parent,  Kealeboga Mokaila, who subscribed in mid-2025, the service has been a game-changer. Her son, Leatile, attends Thornhill Primary School.

“I needed relief, both mentally and physically, from the daily task of assembling a lunchbox. It has brought me peace of mind and actually reduced our household food costs. Their kindness and willingness to check in on whether the children enjoyed their meals really stands out,” Ms Mokaila said.

Another parent, Mercy Thebe, a working mother who travels frequently, says school meals have become stress-free for her and her son, Weno, since subscribing.

“I have always had time management challenges when it came to shopping and meal preparation. Ensuring variety was difficult. I used to prepare the same meals and, over time, they became monotonous and he wouldn’t eat. Lunchbox Hub offers a wide range of food that Weno enjoys. It is an innovative, convenient and affordable solution,” she says.

Weno now enjoys nutritious and varied meals daily.  Thebe is delighted as the service has been a ‘lifesaver’ that saved her hours of shopping and cooking.

“I would gladly recommend the service in a heartbeat to other parents because of its convenience, professionalism, healthy approach and the variety they offer,” she adds.

Despite the hurdles of limited funding and complex logistics, Lunchbox Hub continues to grow. The founders envision expanding into a broader food solutions brand with a deep social impact. For now, they are content reshaping the school  day, one box at a time. BOPA