If you have a child diagnosed with Celiac Disease, you know how challenging meals can be. Making breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that are both Gluten Free and non-Gluten Free can be quite stressful. Have you ever wondered if schools actually provide a Gluten Free option for lunch? After conducting research on the subject, this is what was found:
Students that are medically diagnosed with Celiac Disease and have to follow the Gluten Free diet, may qualify for accommodation based on the National Student Lunch Program. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a Civil Rights law, discrimination on the basis of disability in programs, activities, public, or private, is prohibited. As long as the school receives federal financial assistance, your Celiac child can receive special accommodation for their diet. The child must have an official, documented, diagnosis of Celiac Disease in order to qualify.
If your doctor requires the school to provide Gluten Free bread products, the school MUST provide them. The Gluten Free options, on the lunch menu, will be similar to the food items on the regular lunch menu. However, options on the Gluten Free menu will be very limited. If your child qualifies for special food accommodation, the food will be purchased, by the school, from commercial sources.
Be advised that, if your school requests you to bring the Gluten Free food so they can serve it, it violates the local health codes.
If you need the school to provide a Gluten Free lunch to your Celiac child, be sure to have their diagnosis documented by a physician, and make sure the arrangements are made ahead of time, so that the school can order what is needed to provide your child with a healthy Gluten Free lunch.
Always talk to your school's staff, or the Board of Education, to find out rules exclusively for the school your child goes to.
For more information, visit:
http://www.ncld.org/disability-advocacy/learn-ld-laws/adaaa-section-504/section-504-rehabilitation-act-1973
http://americanceliac.org/for-families/school-lunch-faq/
(photo courtesy of: http://smilinggreenmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/school-lunch-2.jpg)
