As a Celiac and a school teacher, I've learned a bit about how the high school I work at addresses food allergies. From what I understand, the couple of Celiac kids at our school are able to get accomodated gluten free lunches from the cafeteria (prepared separate and everything!). Pretty cool!
I personally choose to bring my own food, just to make sure I'm able to eat healthy and regluate the preparation behind my food (personal choice). However, the option for kids is so great. Just another way for them to feel "normal!"
Here's a post our friends from Red Apple Lipstick published yesterday about this very topic.
Gluten Free School Lunches
Since my kids are not school-aged kids (yet) I have not thought about what they will eat when the time comes for them to start school. I suppose I can make their lunches, like I do now. But, I got to thinking, “will the school provide my kids with gluten free meals?”
I decided to do some research on the matter, and I found some very interesting information. The short answer is YES, schools can and should provide gluten free meals if they have been diagnosed with celiac disease. As outlined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which is a federal civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of a disability in an educational program or institution. Celiac disease may be considered a disability under this law. Your child’s dietary needs must be prescribed by a doctor, but as we know with celiac disease, doctor’s orders are changes in one’s diet. No gluten would count as a prescribed diet.
Read the rest of this article and learn a little about the National School Lunch Program here!
This makes me wonder, do all schools accommodate food allergies? Are we, as Celiacs considered "disabled?"
Thoughts???
