Like many industries, schools are facing unprecedented issues due to the fallout from the pandemic. Supply chain challenges and labor shortages are pushing school nutrition staff to the limit. In this climate, managing food allergies becomes all the more important, and peanut butter, in particular, can help be part of the solution for schools.
To advocate for safely serving peanuts in schools and to help manage them as a food allergen, the National Peanut Board created PeanutsinSchools.org. It is a one-stop-shop for school nutrition directors, staff, brokers, brands, nurses and administration and others seeking resources on this issue.
At PeanutsinSchools.org. you will find brief educational videos, digital and printable handouts, research, webinars and third-party resources that cover topics including:
- Keys to Successfully Communicating Food Allergy Management
- Why Peanut Butter Matters for Schools
- How to Safely Serve Peanut Butter in Schools
- Why Peanut Butter Should Not be Banned from Schools
- An Allergist Addresses Common Peanut Allergy Myths
- How to Create an Allergen Management Plan
- Best Practices for Handling Food Allergens in School Foodservice
This resource features expert advice and guidance from NPB consultant Sherry Coleman Collins, MS, RDN, LD; pediatric allergist, researcher and food allergy parent Dr. Michael Pistiner; food allergy parent and President & CEO of Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT) Eleanor Garrow-Holding; Marietta City Schools Nutrition Director Cindy Culver, RDN; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; School Nutrition Association; Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE); and more.
“Managing food allergens, including peanuts in schools, is an essential part of safely serving school meals every day,” said Coleman Collins. “Yet, school nutrition professionals and others in the school community have so many other things to think about, such as managing pandemic associated risks, supply chain issues, staffing shortages and so much more. We created this site to make finding answers, resources and support easy and fast to meet the needs of today's challenging environment.”