Back to School: Standing Up to Food Allergy Bullying
Back-to-school season brings more moments for kids to connect away from home. For children with food allergies, knowing how to handle questions, teasing, or pressure around food can help them feel more confident throughout the school day.
Parents and caregivers can help by giving kids simple ways to advocate for themselves, recognize food allergy bullying, and know when to ask a trusted adult for help.
According to FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), about one-third of kids with food allergies report that they have been bullied because of their allergy. Knowing what food allergy bullying can look like and helping children understand how to support one another can make a meaningful difference.
Help your child recognize food allergy bullying
Food allergy bullying can look different from child to child. It may be teasing, jokes, pressure to eat something, or being purposely excluded because of an allergy. Talking through a few examples at home can help your child recognize when a situation has crossed a line.
Parents can remind their child that having food allergies should never make them feel different, difficult, or like they have to justify their needs. Their health matters, their boundaries deserve respect, and they should feel supported throughout the school day.
Remind them they can:
- Say no clearly to food they cannot eat
- Walk away from teasing or pressure
- Tell a trusted adult when something feels unsafe or upsetting
Build confidence to speak up
Kids can feel more prepared when they have simple words ready. Practice short phrases at home, such as “I can’t eat that,” “Please don’t touch my food,” or “I need to tell my teacher.”
Let your child know they never need to laugh along or stay quiet just to avoid standing out. Asking for help is part of managing their food allergy confidently.
Talk through which trusted adults, such as a teacher, school nurse, counselor, coach, or lunchroom staff member, they can go to for help before a situation comes up.
FARE’s food allergy bullying resources can also help families recognize signs of bullying and start age-appropriate conversations at home.
Help them stay included
School parties, lunch, field trips, and time with friends should still feel fun. Ask your child where they feel comfortable, and where they may be feeling left out—so you can work with teachers or caregivers on simple solutions.
That might mean planning an allergy friendly option for a class party, keeping a familiar individually wrapped treat on hand, or making sure your child knows what to expect before an event.
Keep food allergy awareness going at school
Parents and educators can work together to make food allergy awareness part of the school routine.
FARE’s Back-to-School Resource Hub includes helpful information for families, students, teachers, and school staff navigating the school year with food allergies.
FARE also offers Food Allergies in the Classroom, with practical ideas for creating more inclusive classroom environments.
These resources can be helpful conversation starters with teachers, caregivers, and kids throughout the year, not just during the first few weeks of school.
Make treat time more inclusive
School parties, lunchtime, and moments with friends should feel enjoyable for every child. Keeping allergy friendly treats on hand helps children with food allergies join in without feeling singled out or left behind.
Free2b® treats are made in a dedicated allergy friendly facility free from the Top 9 allergens, mustard, and sulfites. They’re also Certified Gluten-Free, Non-GMO Project Verified, vegan, and Kosher Pareve.
To individually wrapped Sunflower Butter Sun Cups® Singles and Sun Cups Minis®, delicious, indulgent treats made for sharing and easy to keep on hand for parties and sweet moments. Shop Free2b®
Crunchsters® are lightly nutty, salty, and crunchy with a potato chip-like treat, with flavors including Simply Sea Salt, Sweet Heat Barbeque, Tangy Balsamic, and Beyond Bacon®. They’re made in a separate dedicated allergy friendly facility and are free from the Top 9 allergens. Shop Crunchsters®
Final thoughts
Helping a child with food allergies feel confident at school starts with making sure they know they can speak up, ask for help, and expect their allergy to be taken seriously.
Regular check-ins at home and open communication with teachers can help you catch concerns early and remind your child that they have support behind them.
Here’s to a school year with more confidence, connection, and moments every child can enjoy.