Bananas Can´t Be the Only Option

School Lunch

Allergies are one of the many reasons why students may bringing sack lunches. Just in the last eight years school lunches have gotten thinner and less appealing. But it’s not just the quality and quantity of the food that is being served, allergies are playing a big part which is leading students to bring their own lunches from home.

There are few options at breakfast and lunch for children with food allergies and the few options that are available, are foods that not everyone wants to eat. Many schools, McPherson High being one, only make special menu options for children with disabilities. A disability is when your body thinks the food you ingested is hazardous and tries to fight it.

Bill Froese, the district food director, was asked if McPherson has the option to supply allergy free food, “If we have a child that has a special diet that is considered a disability, we do make substitutions.  However, if the allergy is an intolerance or something that is not considered a disability, than we do not.” There is a difference in a disability and an intolerance. An intolerance is when your digestive system can not process or break down the food consumed.

The process to get allergy free food at school is a time consuming process that to some may not be worth it. To be qualified to receive the food you need to you have to have a form signed by a doctor or medical professional that says you have a disability. You will also need to fill out a form which can be found on the USD 418 website or a copy of this form can be found on page nine. All though some of the options at school are labeled as “safe”, many people’s  allergies are life threatening and it might be too risky to eat at school because  cross-contamination is a big problem. Cross-contamination is when a small amount of a food allergen gets into another food accidentally, or on a surface or another object. This small amount of an allergen could cause an allergic reaction. If you have a severe allergy concern you should just consider bringing your own food from home.