"Food Free in Three"
To help ensure the safety and inclusivity of all students, regardless of food-allergy status, religious or cultural practice, or medical condition, District 97 school celebrations have been "food free" since the 2020-21 school year. This means that no food is served or distributed during celebrations at our schools.
Below is additional information about Food Free in Three, an initiative that was launched in 2018 in all 10 of our schools.
What is “Food Free in Three?”
“Food Free in Three” is a program that calls for the elimination of all food from school celebrations over a three-year period that began in the fall of 2018.
What are the goals of the program?
The following are the three main goals associated with the “Food Free in Three” program:
- Help ensure the safety and inclusivity of all students, regardless of food-allergy status, religious or cultural practice, or medical condition
- Provide students with lifelong healthy habits that reduce the association between celebrations and food consumption
- Use activities, games, etc. to meaningfully connect students with each other and with staff during times of celebration
What led to the creation of the program?
There were several factors that led to the creation of “Food Free in Three.” First, approximately 10-15% of the children in our district have a food allergy. While the most common allergen among our students is nuts of any kind, others include, but are not limited to, milk, soy, wheat and eggs. In addition, any food-allergic reaction has the potential to turn into a life-threatening situation within minutes.
Second, the program aligns with and will help support the successful implementation of our Food Allergy Management Program, which was created with the help of families and staff and can be accessed by visiting http://bit.ly/2x2J6WA.
Who created the program?
We created the program with the help of parents/guardians and staff who serve on our Food Allergy Committee and Wellness Council.
What impact will “Food Free in Three” have on the district’s breakfast and lunch programs, or the snacks that students bring to school?
The “Food Free in Three” program will only apply to school celebrations. It will not affect or impact the district’s breakfast and lunch programs, or the snacks that students bring to school. With that said, students’ snacks and the district’s food service program will still need to comply with federal nutrition guidelines and the district’s Food Allergy Management Program.
PLEASE NOTE: If a student in your child’s classroom is allergic to other food products that must be restricted, your child’s teacher will let you know what those products are and what steps, if any, need to be taken in conjunction with the district’s Food Allergy Management Program. Please consult the "Snack Safely" website for information about specific product brands and suggestions for safe food options. Below is a list of several potential safe food options. However, as stated above, please consult with your child’s classroom teacher to determine if classroom-specific restrictions apply to any of them.
| OPTIONS A | OPTIONS B |
|---|---|
| Fresh fruit | Fruit juice |
| Fresh vegetables | Dried fruits |
| Yogurt without granola topping | Lean meats |
| Packaged popcorn | Pretzels |
Are there resources or recommended activities we can use to organize food-free celebrations?
We will be compiling a list of resources that schools can utilize to organize food-free celebrations. We will share this list with our families and staff as soon as it is available. In the meantime, Action for Healthy Kids, which is an organization that is seeking to “fight childhood obesity, undernourishment and physical inactivity by helping schools become healthier places so kids can live healthier lives,” created a “Healthy Party Guide” that you can access by visiting https://www.actionforhealthykids.org/healthy-celebrations/.
What is the timeline for implementing the program?
We will be implementing the program via a phased-in approach over a three-year period that began in the fall of 2018. We believe this will give our school communities both the time and space they need to plan for and adjust to food-free celebrations.
The district entered Phase 3 of "Food Free in Three" during the 2020-21 school year. Since then, no food has been served during celebrations at our schools.