In the domain of the Greek mother, the food container holds a place of unquestioned honor. It’s beloved not only by her children, but often by their friends as well, who become lucky beneficiaries of its contents. Even today, with food of every kind available at our fingertips, the mother’s container has lost none of its value.
Of course, a few decades ago, food containers made even more of a splash. Branded plastic tubs were often demonstrated and sold at home gatherings — especially by the now-iconic Tupperware company. Once households overflowed with these containers in every shape and color, the product parties dwindled, but the love for them remained rock solid.
Graphic designer Eirini Mitsiou with her mother’s mashed potatoes and homemade burgers — hearty, just as they should be.
Photo: Dora Mastora
The Food Container in the Mother’s Mindset
To a Greek mother, a food container isn’t just a piece of plastic; it’s a vessel of love. It’s a way to stay connected with her child, to offer nourishment, to care — and, truthfully, to exert a little influence over what and how they eat.
But it doesn’t stop there. What begins as a pure gesture of affection can easily become a subtle power move: the mother maintains culinary dominance, finds ways to “visit” her child’s fridge, and inserts herself — lovingly but firmly — into their daily life.
By sending her child off with a tub of undeniably delicious food, she asserts her ongoing presence. The complications often arise when that child is now an adult, possibly living with a partner. That same motherly offering might then become a wedge — particularly if the partner has already prepared a lovely meal of their own. The mother knows this. Nothing she does is accidental.
The pasta with sauce brought by photo editor Matina Polia — leftovers from the night before, in a classic plastic food container. Credit : Dora Mastora
The Food Container in the Child’s Mindset
It’s not just food. It’s the food — the gold standard, prepared by the most cherished person in the world. Children cherish these containers not only because they’re filled with familiar, comforting meals, but because they carry emotional weight. They’re security. They’re home in a box.
These containers whisper: “I’m here for you.” They soothe the nervous student far from home and warm the heart of the adult with a fridge of their own. Age doesn’t matter — the feelings remain the same.
And there’s a bonus superpower: containers allow children to handle their parents’ feelings. There’s no more loaded move than rejecting your mother’s food. That small plastic box can trigger wars — and again, the mother knows. Nothing escapes her.
But Are They Safe?
Some studies have shown that certain plastics, especially older ones, may contain bisphenol A (BPA), which can leach into food. Although BPA leaves the body quickly, its hormonal effects are still debated. Many scientists suggest erring on the side of caution: use glass containers when possible, avoid placing hot or acidic food in plastic tubs, and always let things cool before storing.
Where Do the Lids Always Go?
It remains one of life’s great mysteries — alongside the disappearing sock from the washing machine. No one knows where the lids vanish to, just as no one has ever kept every sock paired. So we carry on, trying to match containers with lids that always seem just slightly too big or too small.
Credit: Dora Mastora
Any Alternatives?
If you’re not obsessively organized, you’ll probably keep losing lids. That’s why people turn to transparent wraps, foil, or better yet, reusable wax papers — which are eco-friendly and easy on the conscience. And if you’re just popping the container in the fridge and not transporting it, a plate over the top usually does the trick.
One last rule: a mother’s container is not to be borrowed, lost, or left behind. If you misplace it, you’ll face consequences no mortal can endure — and the gods are busy with more pressing matters.
