It may be time to invest in a cool lunchbox or canvas lunch bag. Tighter budgets and an effort to eat healthier are making brown bagging it a foodie trend. And there's proof that it's becoming more and more popular: According to a new study from the NPD Group, a Port Washington, N.Y.-based global provider of consumer and retail market research information, in 2007, 8.5 billion lunches were brought in from home by U.S. White-collar professionals with mid- to high-incomes. In fact, this market tends to have the greatest interest in carrying their weekday lunch from home, averaging about three times a week. In addition to the cost-savings and health benefits, other reasons for brown bagging it include convenience, taste, diet, quality and environmental concerns.

Need some inspiration? Visit your local specialty food shop to find interesting items to create delicious, inventive lunches to bring to work. But first, check out our article on transforming a ho-hum sandwich into a memorable lunch (See Move Over Mayo-Sandwiches Get an Upgrade). TODAY'S LUNCHBOX: Upgrade the Brown Bagging It concept. Check out Built NY's award-winning Fugu Lunch Totes ($22): www.builtny.com. -Denise Shoukas