Consider School Meals

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Some parents prefer that their child eat only food prepared at home, while others prefer to take advantage of federal school meal programs.

According to guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the federal agency overseeing the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program, schools must offer safe substitute meals to students with life-threatening food allergies. In order to do so, however, the school needs written instructions from the child’s licensed health care provider, as well as the identification of appropriate substitutions. The USDA provides sample forms in its Accommodating Students with Special Dietary Needs in the School Nutrition Programs (see Appendix 1). The instructions and forms can be integrated into the team’s approach to managing your child’s food allergies at school.

Talk with the school’s food service director, preferably before the start of the school year, to find out how the school cafeteria manages students with life-threatening food allergies, and whether the approach is appropriate for your child. Common approaches include

  • Posting menus in advance to allow parents to identify potentially unsafe meal offerings.
  • Training food service personnel on food allergy issues such as avoiding cross-contact during food preparation and serving, and reading food labels.
  • Posting pictures of children with food allergies behind the counter or register.
  • Using seating arrangements to minimize exposure to food allergens, while ensuring that children with food allergy do not sit alone.
  • Encouraging hand washing after eating and food handling.
  • Washing surfaces after food is eaten or served.