Instacart’s Back-to-School Deal Week Has Free Lunchbox Favorites + School Supplies From 25¢

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Back-to-school shopping has a way of turning one short list into five. There are notebooks and pencils, then lunchbox snacks, breakfast staples, toiletries, and the inevitable supplies you somehow forgot the first time around.

This year, Instacart is helping families save across more of that list, with its Back-to-School Shopping Hub, exclusive in-app discounts, school supplies starting at 25¢ at Staples, and a week of rotating freebies.

And if you’re stocking lunchboxes, now is the time to pay attention.

Deal Week Gives You A Reason To Check Back Daily

For seven days, Instacart is offering a different free lunchbox favorite each day with a qualifying order of $10 or more.*

The lineup changes every day — to find that day’s offer, open Instacart and look for the Deal Week banner on the homepage.

It’s an easy addition if you’re already ordering groceries for the week — particularly when school lunches suddenly need filling again.

The Savings Go Beyond Groceries

The more interesting part of Instacart’s back-to-school push is that it isn’t limited to the supermarket.

Through August 16, its Back-to-School Shopping Hub brings together offers from participating retailers including Staples, Michaels, Family Dollar, Ulta Beauty, JD Sports, Bath & Body Works, Lowe’s, and The Home Depot.

That means you can check off more than snacks and pantry basics without bouncing between quite so many shopping lists.

Yes, Some Staples School Supplies Start At 25¢

Possibly the most eye-catching deal? Staples is offering select school supplies for as little as 25¢, while supplies last.**

Think the basics that tend to disappear fastest once school starts: notebooks, pencils, crayons, and other classroom essentials.

Even if you’ve already tackled the big back-to-school shop, this is worth knowing for those last-minute additions — or the supplies kids inevitably need replacing a few weeks later.

One Place To Check Before School Starts

There’s no getting around the fact that back-to-school season requires a lot of shopping. But finding a free lunchbox item, discounted everyday essentials, and low-cost school supplies in the same place can make the final stock-up a little easier on the budget.

With Deal Week ending August 16, this is one Instacart offer worth checking sooner rather than later.

*Terms, qualifying purchase requirements and availability apply. Free Deal Week item rotates daily through August 16, 2026.

**Select Staples school supplies available for as low as 25¢ while supplies last.