By Lauren Highfill Williams
This story was originally published in PQ 50.
Ten to fifteen years ago, peanut bans in K-12 schools were rampant, and clashes between pro-peanut and no-peanut groups were not uncommon. Today, thankfully, the tide has changed and there is more emphasis on education and management of all Top 9 allergens. Overall, school districts are seeing the value of not only allowing peanuts, but also adding them to their menus. They recognize that peanuts align with popular trends like global flavors, sustainability, convenience and comfort. In fact, 50% of the top 50 school districts have peanuts on the menu, according to Technomic.
Market size is one compelling reason for the peanut industry to continue its focus on schools. K-12 has annual meal sales of $22 billion (1), which is more than double McDonald’s U.S. revenue ($10.3 billion) (2). Plus, there are nearly 129,000 schools in the U.S. (3) which is six times the number of Subway locations (4). Removing barriers to serving peanuts in schools and inspiring innovative uses to peanuts more often can have a big impact on domestic consumption.
The National Peanut Board (NPB) has hosted several events this year showcasing why now is the time for the peanut industry to rally around promoting peanuts in schools. In June, NPB presented a panel at Peanut Congress on Bringing Peanuts Back to Schools. The panel focused on best practices for managing food allergies in schools, correcting common myths and sharing the power of the farmer connection.
Panelists included (L-R): Alex Hallmark, registered dietitian and director of child nutrition for Desoto County Schools in Mississippi; Leslie Wagner, executive director of Southern Peanut Growers; Jason Weber, Alabama peanut grower; and Tarrah Westercamp, registered dietitian and school nutrition specialist.
In July, NPB hosted the second Summer School Nutrition Summit in San Antonio, Texas. The two-day event brought together 30 school nutrition leaders from across the country who serve more than 4.1 million students. The program covered hot topics in school nutrition, including school breakfast; farm-to-school and sustainability; best practices for managing allergies without bans; and recipe inspiration.
Here are the highlights from these events:
School Chefs Want to be Innovative.
While pizza and chicken nuggets remain mainstays on many school menus, today’s school chefs are a new breed. Chef Jason Tepper from Alexandria City Schools in Virginia is a previous restaurant owner. At the Summit, Tepper shared an idea that he and other panelists discussed based on creative ways to reduce sodium in school meals.
“We were talking about how kids love to garnish, they love to squirt, so what if we had like a crushed roasted peanut shaker?” Tepper said. “The idea was an umami-rich, garlic and onion roasted crunchy peanut. It could be a smoked paprika, like a chipotle powder with a smoky kick like BBQ. No added salt to any of this. Like [a Mexican spice blend of mild chili peppers and lime] is a no brainer. I even did a honey maple flavor, the kids already thought that was really awesome. Even some kids were digging the savory like rosemary and oregano, just to shake it. I’m really jazzed about it.”
National School Meal Programs Have Changed.
New federal meal standards were published this spring that schools must follow to be reimbursed for student meal costs. Three significant changes are positive for peanuts, including restricting added sugars, reducing sodium limits and making it easier to serve protein at breakfast. At the panel, director Alex Hallmark highlighted the new opportunity for peanuts and peanut butter in school breakfast. Grains, like a cereal or muffin, no longer must be offered at breakfast before a protein can be served.
“If I want to, I can offer straight protein for breakfast,” Hallmark said. “Now, peanut butter with fruit or peanut butter with celery, those options can be on their own at breakfast, and a smoothie can now just be offered. That's going to open up a huge use at breakfast with peanut butter.”
Food Allergy Doesn’t Only Mean Peanuts.
In 2021, sesame was added to the top major allergens list, making it now the Big 9. Additionally, while the Big 9 are responsible for 90% of food allergic reactions, any food has the potential to be an allergen. What is a school to do if the parent of a child with a banana allergy wants a banana ban? Many families have children with multiple food allergies so banning or not serving one food like peanuts doesn’t protect or serve them.
Emily Brown is a parent of children with food allergy and allergic disease, including peanut and tree nut allergy and restrictions around milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and chicken, who does not advocate for bans.
At the Summit, Brown shared her experience “as a mom working to get accommodations in school while maintaining that my children have not only inclusion but that they’re building the self-efficacy skills that they will need as they will likely manage their peanut allergies most of their lives.”
Schools are all about education and food allergy is no different. This year we’re working with state peanut producer organizations to exhibit at school nutrition conferences across the country to educate and excite this market about peanuts. We’re getting on the speaking program at these meetings and the national stage at the annual conference of the School Nutrition Association in collaboration with The Peanut Institute. We will continue to rally the industry for this common cause. But we need your help to reach every school and promote the nutritious, delicious and affordable crop that America’s peanut farmers produce.
What You Can Do to Promote Peanuts in Schools
Despite the positive momentum, there may be individual schools or districts in your area that actively ban or don’t serve peanuts. As a local community member and farmer, you have the power to point out that policy is wrong and should be changed. In most cases, building a positive relationship with the school and bringing in your concerns will set you up for success.
1. Build relationships
Seek to build a positive relationship with the district or school. Reach out to someone like the school nutrition director, ag teacher or even the athletic director and offer to come in and give students the chance to meet a peanut farmer and learn how peanuts are grown. By making that connection and delivering a good experience, you will find an ally (or allies!) in the pursuit of bringing peanuts back to school.
2. Contact school leaders
Often, several school community leaders are involved in decisions about peanuts in schools. Superintendents, school board members, school nurses, school nutrition directors and athletic directors are a few. Names and contact information are commonly available on the school or district website. You may already and know these school staff or have ways of interacting with them, or you can email or call them with key points about the issue. Connecting face to face really makes an impact on these folks seeing you as a person. Contact NPB for talking points and letter templates.
3. Share resources
You can direct people to PeanutsinSchools.org where there are free handouts, guidelines, trainings, videos and more.
4. Connect with NPB
You are likely not the expert on serving peanuts in schools, and you don’t have to be. Connect your contacts directly with us by reaching out to Lauren Williams at lhwilliams@nationalpeanutboard.org.
Sources:
- “School Meal Statistics.” School Nutrition Association, schoolnutrition.org/about-school-meals/school-meal-statistics/. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
- “McDonald’s Revenue Worldwide 2023.” Statista, 4 June 2024, www.statista.com/statistics/208917/revenue-of-the-mcdonalds-corporation-since-2005/#:~:text=McDonald’s%20generated%20a%20total%20revenue,for%2010.38%20billion%20U.S.%20dollars.
- “Fast Facts.” National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Institute of Education Sciences, nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=84. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
- “2023 Top 500: See the Largest Restaurant Chains in America Ranked by Sales, Units and More.” Nation’s Restaurant News, 20 July 2023, www.nrn.com/top-500-restaurants/2023-top-500-see-largest-restaurant-chains-america-ranked-sales-units-and-more.