National School Lunch Week is October 15-19, 2012. As schools prepare to showcase their achievements and improvements in the lunchroom, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is bringing attention to gluten-free needs and how schools can meet them.

In recognition of National School Lunch Week, NFCA is publishing these articles:

• Tip Sheet: 8 GREAT Ways to Recognize Gluten-Free Needs During National School Lunch Week
   
• Profile of a GREAT School: How 1 Kid Brought Gluten-Free Meals to 7 Schools
   
• Q&A with Gabriela Pacheco, RD, LD, SNS, School Nutrition Consultant

NFCA also offers the following gluten-free school lunch resources for parents and school staff:

• GREAT Schools, Colleges and Camps
  The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) offers an online gluten-free training program for foodservice professionals working in cafeterias and dining halls. We just launched an updated version of our program. Get more details at the link.
   
• 504 Roadmap for Gluten-Free School Lunches
  Click on the second link to download a PDF guide for outlining your child’s gluten-free needs.
   
• Bright Ideas for Gluten-Free School Lunches
  This month-long meal plan includes recipes that schools can easily adopt for serving gluten-free students.
   
• WEBINAR: Back to School: Preparing to Educate School Administrators on the Importance of Gluten-Free
  Includes valuable tips and case studies to help parents and school staff meet gluten-free needs in the lunchroom.
  Bonus: Follow-up questions and answers with webinar panelist Gabriela Pacheco, RD, LD, SNS
   
• WEBINAR: Importance of School Nurse Education and How-To Strategies for Parents of Gluten-Free Kids
  Includes who’s who on the school support team and how to plan for activities beyond the lunchroom.