Creating a Safe Dining Experience Managing Food Allergies and Special Diets in Schools
A s a K-12 school nutrition professional, ensuring that every student receives safe and nutritious meals tai- lored to their needs is a top priority. With the increas- ing prevalence of food allergies and dietary restrictions, our role has evolved to include meticulous planning and proactive measures. By adopting a comprehensive approach to managing food allergies and special diet requests, schools can create an inclusive dining envi- ronment that supports the health and well-being of all students. The foundation of effective allergy and diet man - agement begins with thorough documentation and communication. We require detailed medical infor- mation from parents or guardians,
sponsive. Additionally, we provide training for our kitchen staff on food allergy awareness and proper handling proce - dures to prevent cross-contamination. This ensures that all team members are equipped with the knowledge needed to manage allergens effectively. To address special diets, we do our best to keep the al- ternate options as similar to the scheduled menu items as possible. Our goal is for our students to feel like they are still receiving an entree that is similar in nature to their peers, while still accommodating their unique
needs. At second- ary schools, we strive to offer mul - tiple options per day like is offered on the regular serv- ing lines. Monitoring and feedback are crucial to refining our food service practices. We welcome feedback from our cafeteria managers, parents and students. This feed- back helps us identify areas for improvement and adapt our strategies accordingly. By staying vigilant and responsive, we ensure that our food service remains safe and inclusive for all students.
including specific allergies or dietary restrictions. In our district, we recent- ly created a Google Form for parents to fill out to help us un - derstand specifics of their child’s dietary needs (ie. if they have an egg allergy, do they only need to avoid egg products or all products with eggs as an ingredi- ent?, etc.) This informa- tion is then reviewed in collaboration with school nurses to create individ- ualized meal plans. We then compile the list of all students on a Google drive that is shared with
In conclusion, managing food allergies and special diet requests requires
our school nurses and cafeteria managers. This process ensures that we accurately understand each student’s needs and can implement appropriate accommodations. Communication plays a pivotal role in our approach. If a student requires a special menu (ie. gluten free), we loop the parents, nurse, and cafeteria manager in an email with the menu and protocol we will be following. We actively engage with families to discuss their child’s dietary needs and any updates regarding their condition. This ongoing dialogue helps us stay informed and re-
a coordinated effort between school nutrition staff, fami - lies, and health professionals. By implementing thorough documentation procedures, fostering open communica- tion, and continuously evaluating our practices, we can cre- ate a dining environment where every student feels secure and valued. Our commitment to these principles reflects our broader mission to support the well-being and success of every student in our care.
Amanda Lambrechts, MS, RD | Perry Township Schools Amanda Lambrechts, MS, RD is a dedicated registered dietitian with a Master of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. Prior to joining the school nutrition world, Amanda had a diverse background which included clinical nutrition, adjunct instruction for South Dakota State University, retail dietetics, and private practice eating disorder counseling. Her work led her to being named South Dakota’s Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year in 2019. When the world shut down in 2020, Amanda’s school nutrition career began at Perry Township Schools in Indianapolis, IN. Most of her days are filled with menu writing, nutrition analysis, and recipe development. In her free time, she enjoys running with her energetic dog, Luna.
Powered by FlippingBook