A recent congressional hearing brought powerful testimony from children and advocates pushing for the SNACK Act—legislation that would help children with celiac disease safely participate in school breakfast and lunch programs.
Congressional testimony on the SNACK Act. View on Facebook
The Problem: Kids Can’t Eat School Lunch
The testimony was clear: more than half of children with celiac disease do not participate in school meal programs because their families can’t trust that cafeterias can safely prepare gluten-free meals.
As one young person with celiac disease testified:
“Most kids can just go through the lunch line and pick what they want. I can’t do that. I never ate school lunches growing up. My family and I couldn’t trust that food was truly safe.”
Parents report spending hours searching school websites, emailing staff, and piecing together information from multiple sources just to understand what their child can safely eat.
What the SNACK Act Would Do
The legislation addresses this by requiring schools to make existing information accessible:
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Online transparency — Schools must make food information accessible online in one place, not scattered across multiple sources
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Dedicated gluten-free options — School districts would be required to offer dedicated gluten-free meals and menus
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Clear procedures — Increased transparency around safe food handling procedures to ensure kids get the right meal
The key insight from testimony: the information families need already exists—the SNACK Act simply ensures they can find it.
Why This Matters: It’s Not a Preference
The testimony emphasized a critical point that our community knows well:
“Celiac disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition. This is not a lifestyle disease.”
Repeated gluten exposure—even just a crumb—can lead to:
- Persistent damage to the small intestine
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Impaired growth in children
As one young advocate put it:
“For kids like me, this isn’t about preference. It’s about our health. Safe foods are our medical treatment. If we don’t have the right information, we can’t protect ourselves.”
A Standing Ovation
The hearing was notable for something unusual: applause broke out during the testimony. The presiding official remarked it was “one of the most uplifting hearings we’ve had in a very long time.”
The bill matters because it removes uncertainty. Kids with celiac disease already have to “play defense against gluten every day.” Passing this bill won’t change that reality, but it will make school a lot safer.
How to Support the SNACK Act
If you want to help push this legislation forward:
- Contact your representatives — Let them know this affects your family
- Share your story — Legislators respond to constituent experiences
- Connect with advocacy organizations like the Celiac Disease Foundation and Beyond Celiac who are tracking this bill
- Share this video — Awareness builds momentum
The Bottom Line
No child should have to choose between participating in school meal programs and protecting their health. The SNACK Act is a practical step toward making schools safer for the estimated 1 in 100 children who have celiac disease.
As one young advocate concluded:
“So kids like me can relax and focus on the important things at school, like learning and playing with their friends.”
Have you faced challenges with school meals for your child with celiac disease? We’d love to hear your story. Your experiences can help build the case for better policies.