<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> It is great to see others standing up for our kids and their need to have GF lunches at school. As you prepare letters to the USDA about school lunches it is important to remember that federal law currently requires that students with special dietary needs be accommodated. When Congress looks at making changes to the Child Nutrition Act next year, there won't be a reason to do this again since it has already been done. Additionally, school lunches which meet the federal nutritional requirements are reimbursed, GF or not GF. This won't change either. So what is needed? ASK the USDA : - to INCREASE REIMBURSEMENT for medically necessary foods, so that school districts can better meet the needs of students with celiac disease or other medical conditions; - to ISSUE GUIDANCE to school districts and those administering the National School Lunch Program that they MUST provide GF meals when the need is appropriately documented; and - to PROVIDE RESOURCES to schools and food service personnel on the nutritional needs children with celiac disease and how to modify existing plans or to or incorporate alternative options to meet requirements of the gluten free diet. TELL the USDA that these are the same points American Celiac Disease Alliance members Scott Mandell (Enjoy Life Foods), and Carol Shilson (University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center) highlighted in their presentations to USDA experts in September. Please share these points with the USDA by going to: tinyurl.com/6lof2g Thank you. Beth Hillson, President American Celiac Disease Alliance * All posts for product information must include the applicable country * Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC