SANTA CRUZ — When Santa Cruz residents Tammy Pelstring and Amy Hemmert had children in grade school, they volunteered in the classroom and found themselves hanging around for snack time.

The women, friends and jogging partners since 1995, noticed the waste that occurred during mealtimes, as well as the preponderance of convenience foods that weren’t necessarily healthy.

"The main example was drink pouches that the kids couldn’t finish, and then there was no way for them to seal them back up," said Pelstring.

"We also saw a lot of Lunchables," said Hemmert, referring to the Oscar Mayer products that typically include crackers, cheeses, meats and other items in compartmentalized disposable packaging.

Hemmert said that she and Pelstring became concerned about the high fat, hydrogenated oil and sugar content such products may contain, in addition to the waste.

Fans of portable Japanese-style bento boxes — lacquered boxes with dividers creating separate compartments for different foods — the two started Obentec in 2001 with the idea of helping families improve lunchtime nutrition, save money on disposable packaging, stem the rising tide of childhood obesity and reduce waste.

Their products, called Laptop Lunches, are flat plastic lunch boxes in various bright colors, divided into compartments that include containers with lids for liquid foods and a stainless steel fork and spoon. Parents can also buy a zippered carrying case that resembles those used to tote laptop computers.

"What the kids really like is the compartments," said Pelstring.

The entrepreneurs also wanted their products to include an educational component, teaching parents how to make their product work.

"We felt passionate about that," said Hemmert. "It can’t just be the cute container."

Hemmert went to work on a user guide to include with the lunchbox. The book covers environmental issues, childhood obesity and nutritional education, and offers kid-friendly menus and waste-free lunch tips.

The self-financed venture maintained a 30 percent growth in sales year over year, according to the owners. Laptop Lunches sets and books are available at grocery, children’s and bookstores nationally, as well as over the Web.

Locally, their products are available at retailers including New Leaf Community Markets in Boulder Creek and Felton, Kaleidoscope Parent Teacher Store and Bookshop Santa Cruz. The company Web site also sells all the products, including replacement inner containers.

The company recently came out with two new lunch box colors — "whimsical," in bright green and orange, and "periwinkle" — and is developing adult-size versions.

"Word of mouth has been growing, and there’s been so much attention toward childhood obesity," said Pelstring. "Our vision is to have a whole line of stylish, high-tech, high-quality lunch containers."

Obentec Inc.

WHAT: Maker of Laptop Lunches, colorful, compartmentalized plastic lunchboxes aimed at reducing waste and promoting healthier kids' lunches.

OWNERS: Tammy Pelstring, chief executive officer, and Amy Hemmert, president.

LOCATION: Santa Cruz.

PRODUCTS: Laptop Lunches set, including inner containers and utensils; The Laptop Lunch User’s Guide; insulated carrying case with water bottle; T-shirts.

PRICE: Full set, including user guide, costs $33.99 on the company Web site; price may vary by retailer.

INTERESTING FACT: The company produces a free monthly e-newsletter, which includes recipes, success stories, environmental tips and resources, and has 30,000 subscribers.

INFORMATION: www.laptoplunches.com; www.wastefreelunches.org; 457-0301.