what I eat in a day working in an apple packhouse 🍎
it's my last day at my apple packhouse job so here's my #wieiadrealistic. there is no food available at work (other than apples and tea) so everyone has to bring their own lunches and snacks.
🍎 breakfast / 6.45am before work starts at 7am 🍎
- a Dazzle apple (free apples from work!). the dazzle apple is incredible and my favourite variety
- chocolate milk ($2.40 on discount)
☕ morning break / 10am ☕
- tea with milk (free from work)
- sour cream and chives rice crackers ($1.70)
- tomato, basil, and avocado cream dip ($5.70 on discount)
🍛 lunch / 1pm 🍛
- leftovers from Sunday dinner. lots of people are leaving the job and place so we did a farewell dinner on Sunday with my housemates. everyone cooked something so there was plenty leftover - I packed some chicken rice balls, Japanese curry, and tteobokki for lunch.
- Whittaker's Dark Salted Caramel Chocolate ($7.70 for the whole bar on discount). Whittaker's is so iconic in NZ and this is my favourite flavour so far
🌮 dinner / 7.30pm 🌮
celebratory dinner for the last day of work! I had dinner with a few friends at Amigos Cromwell (because the Thai place we wanted to go to was unexpectedly closed)
- chips and 3 dips (guacamole, salsa, chili con carne)
- fried calamari
- mixed grill platter
- chicken fajitas
- churros
($28 per person in total)
overall a pretty delicious day, and the end of a chapter on my working holiday in NZ!
... Read moreWorking in an apple packhouse offers a unique food environment where you largely depend on what you bring from home, along with the occasional free apples and tea provided. One practical takeaway is the importance of packing varied and nutrient-rich meals to sustain energy through a physically demanding day.
Starting your morning with a fresh Dazzle apple, known for its sweet and crisp taste, is a smart way to get natural sugars and fiber before the workday begins. Pairing that with a chocolate milk drink—especially when bought on discount—adds a comforting dose of protein and calcium.
During the mid-morning break, having tea with milk helps keep you hydrated and refreshed, while bringing alongside sour cream and chives rice crackers offers satisfying crunch and subtle flavor without heaviness. Complementing this with a tomato, basil, and avocado cream dip introduces healthy fats and antioxidants, important for maintaining focus.
For lunch, leftovers can be both economical and delicious. Packing a mix of traditional items like chicken rice balls and international flavors such as Japanese curry and tteobokki showcases the fun and diversity possible even on a work lunch break. Having a treat like Whittaker's Dark Salted Caramel chocolate from New Zealand provides a morale boost, highlighting how regional favorites can be a comforting indulgence.
Dinner out with friends to celebrate the end of a work chapter introduces a social dimension that food often brings. Sharing dishes like chips with guacamole, salsa, and chili con carne dips, fried calamari, grilled meats, chicken fajitas, and churros makes for a festive and memorable meal.
This day also reflects how working holiday experiences influence eating habits—bringing practical food choices for the workday while enjoying social and cultural food experiences during time off. For others working in similar settings, preparing a balanced mix of fresh fruit, homemade meals, and occasional treats can keep energy levels up and make the workday more enjoyable. Plus, taking advantage of local food discounts and free items at work helps manage costs while still enjoying tasty food.
Overall, having a thoughtful approach to eating in a job like this can create lasting positive memories, support health, and encourage stronger connections through shared meals, all key aspects valued during a working holiday.