We don't serve Peanuts . . . just Peanut Butter.

At the beginning of the school year, we usually go and talk to the teachers and some of the staff at the school to let them know about our son's food allergies and how to keep him safe.  One year I will never forget:

We went to talk to someone in charge of the cafeteria to find out what they do for kids with severe food allergies.  They basically told me that they didn't do anything for those kids - not even a peanut free table at lunch.

This was quite a change from the school we had just come from so I was a little surprised.  But what finally got me is when the lady told me that I didn't need to worry about my son's peanut allergy because they didn't serve peanuts.

"We don't serve peanuts here," she was proud to report.  "Oh - you don't do peanut butter sandwiches?" I asked.  "Yes, we serve peanut butter -- but no peanuts," she replied.  I was a little taken back at first but then said,  "You Do know that there are peanuts in peanut butter - - don't you?"  "Well, yes,"  was all she could say.

I think this demonstrates the lack of understanding some people have about food allergies.  People with severe food allergies can't eat any of the food they are allergic to, they can't even touch that food, and often just being around that food can bother them.

This year, the LugNuts set out to increase allergy awareness -- especially at school.  The team members really learned a lot about the subject this year and felt like they could help other people understand it more too.  One of the things they did was create a video about food allergies.  They played this video during the news at school.  They also passed out flyers and talked to people that had questions.

Here is a copy of their allergy awareness video:
(Thanks to FAAN for a lot of the information they used)

It seems that a lot people know someone with food allergies, but a lot of people don't really understand that allergic kids have to completely avoid that food.  The LugNuts found out that the best thing that the kids can do to help at school is to wash their hands after they eat.  This sounds pretty simple, but it really does help.

If you want more information about food allergies or FAAN, here is a link:  FAAN