<<Disclaimer:  Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Any school that receives funding through the National School Lunch Program
has to provide a GF lunch to your child if your child has a medically
required GF diet.  Step 1.    Get a positive attitude.  Expect cooperation,
and expect to cooperate yourself.  Know that if all else fails you have the
National School Lunch Program guidelines behind you. ( But remember to use
that knowledge kindly -- your child's lunch menu will benefit from this
kindness!)
Step 2.    Prepare yourself.  Read the USDA's Guidelines for the national
School lunch Program and print anything you think may help.  Write down the
site's address and provide it to your school district's food services
coordinator and school's cafeteria manager. Go to the USDA's website <A HREF="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Guidance/default.htm">Click
here: Guidance</A>  and go to the Child Nutrition Home Page, Click on Guidance
and there you will have an article titled  <A HREF="http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Guidance/Special%20Dietary%20Needs.pdf">Accommodating Children with
Special Dietary Needs in the School Nutrition Programs</A>  This is a great
article.
Step 2.    Get a special diet form from your school's district office and
have your doctor complete and sign the form.  In South Carolina there is a
form that is required (South Carolina School Food Services, Diet Description
for Meals at Schools) which must be signed by either a physician or
registered dietitian.  I feel sure that other states will have a similar
form.  When you have this form completed be sure to have the doctor or
dietitian state that the diet is a life long requirement.  This will keep you
from completing this form again each year.
Step 2.  Talk with your District's Food Services Coordinator.  Ask if your
school district already provides the GF diet for other students.  If so you
are lucky!  Ask for the required forms and enjoy!  If they are not yet
preparing GF meals talk with the Food Service Coordinator about the basic
requirements of the diet.  Let him/her know that other schools are
successfully providing this diet to their students.  Refer him/her to the
USDA website.
Step 3.  Meet face to face with your school's cafeteria manager and the
district coordinator.  (Together if possible.)  Have a copy of the diet
requirements with you.  Have an approved/not approved foods list with you.
Have a current lunchroom menu with you and be prepared to offer substitution
suggestions.  Provide store names and addresses of GF specialty items.  Make
suggestions according to your child's likes and dislikes.  (Your child should
benefit from all your work!  Make sure the menu suits him/her!)  Provide
phone numbers, pager numbers, and email addresses for them to contact you
easily if they should have any questions later.
Step 4.    Meet with the cafeteria staff preparing the meals and check label
ingredients on the pantry shelves and in the freezer.  Depending on the level
of cooperation with knowledge of the staff you may do several things.  You
might check the pantry and freezer and read labels yourself, or suggest that
they do this.  You might suggest the same person prepares you child's meal
each day with the cafeteria manager being the backup.  You might suggest that
your child's tray is prepared first or in a separate area, wrapping the tray
with plastic wrap once it is ready, supplemental items from your home (if
your child is the only one), a separate tub in the refrigerator with GF
condiments, and one in the freezer with bread, pizza slices, etc.  I provide
my child's school with ice cream cups for special school treat times and they
also keep a few frozen cupcakes on hand also for special classroom events.
He knows that they are there and his teacher has him go to the cafeteria for
them when needed.  The cafeteria staff keeps me informed when the supply is
low.
Step 6.  Know the mealtime procedure.  Will you have a special menu for your
child each month?  (My child's school has a one month menu that they cycle
through for the GF meals.)   Will your child have menu choices?  Know how to
report your child's lunch choice.  How to report if your child is absent so
that the cafeteria does not prepare a special meal that has to be thrown out
if it is not eaten that day.
Step 5.  Prepare your child.  Be sure that your child knows as much about
his/her diet as possible.  They can comprehend much more that you think they
can!
Step 6.  Prepare the teacher.  Be sure that the teacher understands any
special requirements concerning this new system.  How to report your child's
lunch choice.  How to report if your child is absent so that the cafeteria
does not prepare a special meal that has to be thrown out if it is not eaten
that day.
Step 7.  Enjoy!

I will be glad to provide some of my materials if anyone would like to see
them.

Hope this helps someone!
Peggy Smith
W. Columbia, SC

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