Orange County School Lunch Program: Parent’s Can Be NUTS About Food Allergies – Why You Should Too

Every parent of a school age child will attest to how common food allergies have become. Did you know that 25% of food related allergic reactions were in children with no known allergies?

This means that while a child may not have had a previous reaction, the parent should still be ready for the possibility. If a child has had even a minor allergic episode in the past, they are significantly more likely to have a major episode in the future. Orange County school lunch program providers like The Lunch MOB are working to eliminate these types of reactions by providing allergy safe food; unfortunately, not every lunch room is that lucky today. By leaving major allergens on the menus, the school districts are creating an environment that tempts children to eat food that they may have a serious reaction to. There is no way to predict when or where a child may have a food related reaction.

One of the most important things to teach children is to respect other children’s boundaries. Young students may not realize how serious a food allergy can be and pick on those with an allergy. This can lead to isolation, teasing, and bullying. In the worst case scenario, a child may eat a food that they know is not good for them in order to feel like part of the group. By teaching your child to respect their peer’s boundaries, you eliminate the opportunity for bullying. These lessons can be reinforced by working with a Orange County school lunch program provider like The Lunch MOB to create fun, allergy friendly meals that will be safe for your children to share. By providing foods with no known allergens, you will reduce the probability of causing a food related reaction in a child.

A recent study found that one in three children has been bullied for their food allergy. Food Allergy & Research Education (FARE) works to educate both parents and school districts about how serious an allergic reaction could be. This seriousness was illustrated after a first-grad Virginia student, Amarria, died after eating a peanut. The legislation at the time did not allow school staff to give a child another’s medication, even in time of crisis.

The School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act provides special grants to schools that stock the medication necessary to stop a serious allergic reaction. FARE helped push for the Epinephrine act in 2011 when food allergy research was on the rise. They were able to push through the legislation in 2012 with the help of concerned parents. Now that this legislation has passed, children like Amarria could be saved by the epinephrine that is stocked in schools around the country.

There are now hundreds of groups that work to educate family and children with allergies. They explain how to turn down tempting foods, how to choose what to eat when going out, and many other aspects of eating with a food allergy. Orange County school lunch program companies like The Lunch MOB continue to support education about food resources in schools. These companies pack and provide lunches that are allergy friendly and still kid-approved.

While you may not have a child with an allergy, your food choices still have an effect on children who do. If you are concerned about the food quality in your school, speak to the principal about a Orange County school lunch program like The Lunch MOB who will ensure all children have safe, healthy lunches.

Photo from Food Allergy Ninja