Living with Food Allergies

/ Living with Food Allergies / Managing Food Allergies at School / Resources for School & Care Centers
Food Allergy Awareness Kit

Resources for School & Care Centers

About 5.6 million children have food allergies. With these numbers, there’s a chance many classrooms in the U.S. will have a student with a food allergy.

Kids With Food Allergies (KFA) – the food allergy division of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) – has created this list of resources to help school administrators, nurses, and staff manage food allergies in the classroom.

Teal Classroom™ Kit: Creating a Food Allergy Aware Classroom

Forty-five percent of severe allergic reactions in schools happen in the classroom. A Teal Classroom encourages being safe and inclusive for everyone with food allergies. This resource can help you raise food allergy awareness in your school. Available as a free printable PDF or booklet.

Managing Food Allergies at School – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

This resource from the CDC includes information on food allergy management in schools, with links to “Voluntary Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies In Schools and Early Care and Education Programs” and “Food Allergies in Schools Toolkit.” Printable PDFs available.

Fun Ways to Teach Children About Food Allergies

Help students better understand food allergies through fun activity books, videos, online games, and downloadable resources.

Potential Food Allergens in School Crafts and Activities

Common food allergens can be found in arts and craft supplies, as well as many classroom projects and activities. Learn what may contain food allergens, as well as alternatives and precautions. Printable PDF available for free download.

Non-Food Rewards for Children With Food Allergies

Non food Reward PDFAs recommended by the CDC, non-food rewards are great for creating a safe and inclusive classroom. This resource lists several non-food reward ideas and includes a PDF you can print for reference. Printable PDF available for free download.

Ally & Andy’s Asthma and Allergy Activity Book

This coloring and activity book gives children and families a fun way for children to learn common asthma triggers. It also helps them learn how to manage their asthma and food allergies. (Available in EnglishSpanish, and Arabic as a free PDF download or printed book for a nominal cost)

Food Allergy Management Education Toolkit for Schools

St. Louis Children’s hospital, in collaboration with allergy experts from around the nation, created a free manual for schools to help schools create and adopt food allergy policies consistent with the CDC voluntary guidelines for managing food allergies in schools.

Other Asthma and Allergy School Resources

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) School Zone (Visit AAFA.org)
Many children with food allergies have asthma and other allergies. AAFA offers resources to also schools manage asthma in the classroom. See a wealth of asthma-related resources for students, parents, and school staff.

AAFA’s State Honor Roll (Visit AAFA.org)
This is an annual report by AAFA to help identify states with the most comprehensive public policies supporting people with asthma, food allergies, anaphylaxis, and related allergic diseases in grade schools. Find out how your state ranks.

National Association of School Nurses (Visit NASN.org)
NASN provides various resources and educational tools to help nurses fulfill their mission to “optimize student health and learning by advancing the practice of school nursing.”

Updated August 2021
meeting with school staff and turn in signed forms image
Your Guide to Managing Your Child's Food Allergies