Linky Snack ideas party

Mrs. Bainbridge's Class is having a linky party about snack time and snack ideas. I always need good ideas for this beacuse it changes for me throughput the year and even though I have taught for as many years as I have that is one of the parts of my day that I get frustrated with. This is what I have done in the past:
1. Had a snack calendar
2. Sent out snack letters requesting snacks or posted in my newsletter when snacks were low ( my parents always have come through with snacks),
We have a our snack at recess time but there are some days, when I want snack to be a center where students get to just be the social animals that they are. Kids need time to talk about silly things, about the things they like and dislike, about being friends, etc. I am finding that I have heard and continue to hear "...the language among students talking in the classroom must be about the subject you are teaching..." (stated in a professorial tone). That is where I protest...kids are kids let them talk and discover from each other at snack time, around the table. After all,  isn't that where most of us learned from our siblings, friends,and family etc. School is academic enough without everything always being focused on Academics.
OK,  I am off my soapbox. I have vented and that is my tips for snacks. Check out the linky party to find more.