From Ban to Confidence HOW THREE DISTRICTS SAFELY BROUGHT AN ALLERGEN BACK TO THE MENU
menu variety. Towns County found the total ban difficult to enforce, especially outside the cafeteria. In Hickory City Schools, demand from students was clear. “I understood the demand for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from the previous district I worked at,” said Christy Gwyn, School Nutrition Director for Hickory City Schools. “I knew students would participate when offered Uncrustables™ versus other lunch entrees.” How They Made It Work All three districts implemented safety strategies like staff training, designated allergen-free seating, and the use of pre-packaged peanut products to reduce cross-contact risks. Hickory City Schools also added safeguards at the point- of-sale system to flag any known allergies. They prioritized communication, too. “I obtained valuable resources from the National Peanut Board to better inform all stakeholders,” said Gwyn. Oakley Union started with older students. “Start at your higher grade schools before introducing it to K-5,” added Maria Bautista, Kitchen Lead at Oakley Union.
For years, peanuts were banned in Oakley Union Elementary (CA), Towns County (GA), and Hickory City Schools (NC). Whether due to allergy concerns, parental pressure, or longstanding policy, peanuts and peanut butter were considered too risky to serve. That’s no longer the case. Today, these three districts are safely and confidently serving peanut products again— thanks to deliberate planning, stakeholder collaboration, and strong allergen management protocols. The outcome? Smooth transitions, no allergy incidents, and increased student participation. These success stories are part of the National Peanut Board’s “Something’s Missing” campaign, which highlights how schools can bring back peanuts safely—and why it matters for nutrition, satisfaction, and inclusion.
What Prompted the Shift? Each district had different motivations. For Oakley Union, it was about inclusivity and
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