Allergen-free school lunches aim to help kids succeed

GREEN BAY - Lunchtime, Doty Elementary School. Fourth grader Jordan Burt gets his tray.

“Sub sandwich, bear grahams, salad, fruit, and my soy milk,” the nine-year-old showed FOX 11 the items on his tray on Friday.

His lunch looks a little different. No pizza, like his peers.

That's because Jordan has food allergies.

"Dairy, nuts, honey, fish,” he lists off. “One time, my great-grandma gave me a peanut butter cookie and I had to go to the hospital."

Jordan's not alone.

The Green Bay Area Public School District says one in 25 students has a documented food allergy or intolerance.

Many students just like Jordan can't have dairy or other types of foods. So the school lunch program has made special entrees for them. It's usually labeled, so they know which child and school the food goes to.

"It's a legal responsibility to provide substitutions for the national school lunch and breakfast programs. But, it's also a moral obligation, and it's something that makes us feel good,” said Laura Rowell, a dietician who supervises the school lunch program in the district.

Here at the main kitchen facility for the school district, the staff is trained so they don't cross-contaminate the allergen-free meals.

But substitutions aren't cheap. Take the biggest substitution: Milk. A carton of milk costs 30 cents. Soy milk costs a $1.50.

"We make sure that the students receive this at no additional cost,” said Rowell, adding that much of that cost is absorbed by the national school lunch and breakfast funding.

Educators say students and parents receive peace of mind from having those options.

And there's an added plus. The children seem to be more focused.

“We don't see the big ups and downs on the sugar highs or things like that. So it's been helpful,” said David Bridenhagen, the Doty Elementary School principal.

School dieticians say parents must have a medical release from a doctor before their child can start enjoying specially prepared meals to suit their needs.

The Green Bay Area School District says the biggest increase in special dietary needs has been for gluten-free items.