Markita Lewis, MS, RDN, marketing and communications manager at the National Peanut Board, shares practical tips for rethinking food bans and strengthening allergy management plans, all while keeping students safe.

What do three school districts in Oakley, California; Hiawassee, Georgia; and Hickory, North Carolina, have in common? Last year, each district reported zero allergy incidents, increased school meal participation and reduced food costs. They also put peanuts back on their menus.

To be fair, the school nutrition leaders in those districts did a whole lot more than just come to work one day and start ordering peanuts again. They took a fresh look at longstanding bans and discovered that keeping students safe doesn't always mean taking foods off the menu (i.e., blanket food bans)...