The Celiac Disease Foundation recently hosted a Lunch and Learn webinar — Overcoming Barriers to Accessing Gluten-Free Meals at School — bringing together medical experts, education leaders, and parent perspectives to explore the challenges children with celiac disease face with getting gluten-free school meals. The webinar featured Dr. Nan Du from Boston Children’s Hospital, Vanessa Weisbrod and dietitian Meghan Donnelly from the Celiac Disease Foundation, and Dr. Dorit Koren, a pediatric endocrinologist and parent of a child with celiac disease.
Watch the full recording here:
Lunch and Learn Webinar: Overcoming Barriers to Gluten-Free School Meals
New Research Highlights Parental Concerns
During the seminar, Dr. Nan Du presented findings from a new study conducted by researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Celiac Disease Foundation , and published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. The study surveyed families of children with celiac disease to assess their experiences accessing gluten-free school meals. Results showed that many families opt out of school breakfast and lunch programs altogether due to concerns over cross-contact, inadequate staff training, and inconsistent communication about gluten-free options.
Celiac Disease Foundation: A Long-Time Leader in School Advocacy
For decades, the Celiac Disease Foundation has led national efforts to improve the lives of children with celiac disease in school settings. In 2019, the Foundation supported the development of the first-ever national recommendations for managing celiac disease in learning environments. Created through a national collaboration of 12 pediatric hospitals with celiac programs, public and private schools, education associations, teachers, nurses, parents, and students, these recommendations are grounded in research, best practices, and real-world data.
They offer detailed guidance on:
- Managing celiac disease at school
- Preventing gluten exposure in classrooms and cafeterias
- Implementing effective 504 Plans and IEPs to ensure legal protections for gluten-free accommodations
These national standards have been instrumental in helping schools create safer, more inclusive environments for students with celiac disease.
Expert Guidance for Families
During the webinar, Vanessa Weisbrod, Chief Education & Community Engagement Officer at the Celiac Disease Foundation, outlined key barriers families face, and offered actionable solutions schools can adopt to better support students with celiac disease. She identified four major challenges: poor communication about gluten-free options, limited variety of gluten-free foods, low trust in preventing cross-contact, and concerns over nutritional quality.
To address these, Vanessa recommended strategies such as:
- Creating dedicated gluten-free email lists and web pages for parents to access updated menus and safety procedures.
- Reviewing vendor catalogues to expand gluten-free offerings and developing labeled menus to highlight variety.
- Using naturally gluten-free ingredients (e.g., corn tortillas, tamari).
- Sharing food handling practices and brand names to build transparency and trust.
- Showcasing meals on social media so parents can see what their children are being served.
- Demonstrating compliance with federal nutrition guidelines for school meals.
These practical, high-impact suggestions provide a roadmap for school districts to move from reactive to proactive in managing gluten-free accommodations.
Meghan Donnelly, MS, RDN, CDN and Director of Health Communications at the Celiac Disease Foundation, provided expert insight into how schools can meet federal nutrition requirements while safely accommodating gluten-free students. She broke down the USDA’s food-based meal pattern, which requires schools to serve foods from key food groups—grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, and dairy—in specific portion sizes based on age groups.
Importantly, Meghan emphasized that schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program are required by law to accommodate students with celiac disease at no additional cost, provided they have a medical statement from a licensed healthcare provider.
A Parent’s Perspective
Dr. Dorit Koren shared her experience as both a pediatric endocrinologist and the parent of a child with celiac disease. She emphasized the emotional weight and logistical hurdles many families face and underscored the importance of formal accommodations like 504 Plans to ensure children can safely participate in school meals and activities without stigma or exclusion.
Key Takeaways:
- Communication is essential. Ongoing collaboration between families and school staff can improve the safety and quality of gluten-free accommodations.
- 504 Plans protect students. These legal documents help guarantee consistent support for children with celiac disease across all aspects of school life.
- Resources are available. Families don’t have to navigate this journey alone—expert-backed tools and national recommendations are here to help.
Explore Our Resources:
The Celiac Disease Foundation offers a wide range of tools to support families managing celiac disease in school. Visit: celiac.org/school-support-sessions
