Get Ready for back-to-school with our #ImReady campaign and participate in our “What’s in your backpack?” contest. Register for our upcoming webinars and live events, including a webinar for parents on supporting the transition to self-management of food allergy with leading UK psychologist Dr. Rebecca Knibb. Sign up your 7-15-year-old for the fall session of Allergy Pals/Allies online mentorship. Plus, read our interview on managing food allergy during COVID-19 and the importance of proper food labelling, and check out our reminders for a safe fall season with food allergy.
#ImReady for back-to-school: Exclusive webinar for parents, contests, and more
Our new #ImReady: Back-to-school 2021 campaign helps you and your kids get Ready for a safe back-to-school with food allergy. Discover the different ways you can get involved and prepare for a safe return to class, including webinars and events with leading experts, a contest (with prizes!), #FoodAllergyHacks, a host of tools and resources, and more.
Webinars and events!
Kyle Dine 
Lucillie 
Benjamin
August 18th and 25th at 1pm EDT: Instagram Live sessions for youth: Featuring Kyle Dine and Food Allergy Canada’s Youth Advisory Panel
Join Kyle Dine, food allergy educator and leader of our youth programming, on our Instagram Live as he chats with Lucille and Benjamin, members of our Youth Advisory Panel, about their experiences managing food allergy in middle school and high school. Questions will be answered live during the session.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram @food_allergy_canada to get notified when we go live!
August 24th at 12pm EDT: For parents: Supporting successful transitions into self-management of food allergy: pre-teen to young adult with Dr. Rebecca Knibb
Hear from Dr. Rebecca Knibb, a leading UK psychologist, on how to support the transition to self-management of food allergy. You’ll gain a better understanding of the mental health aspects that youth may experience on the path to independence and learn practical strategies on how to successfully manage these transitions.
Contest alert: What’s in your backpack?
Take a photo or video of what’s in your backpack and how you’re ready for school with food allergy for a chance to win an exclusive Food Allergy Canada prize pack. Items in your backpack can include are an epinephrine auto-injector, anaphylaxis emergency plan, and allergy-friendly snacks. Watch the video to get inspired and enter today! Contest closes September 12th.
Share our back-to-school #FoodAllergyHacks
Download our fun hacks for back-to-school with food allergy. Share our #FoodAllergyHacks on social media to spread food allergy awareness and education.
COVID-19 and food allergy
Check out our suggestions for students who are heading back to class this school year. Plus, get answers to your back-to-school questions by watching our webinar recording on COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens.
Tools and resources
Plan ahead and get prepared in advance. Watch our educational videos, take a free AllergyAware.ca course, download our back-to-school checklist, tip sheets, and more!
Thank you to our sponsors
We are grateful for the generous support of our sponsors! Be sure to check out their special offers – perfect for summer and back-to-school!
Leading sponsors
Learn about our other sponsors and check out their offerings just for you!
Participate in our upcoming webinars and live events – for youth and parents!
We have several webinars and live events happening in August and September for both youth and parents. Be sure to check out the sessions below and register. Please share with others, so they can also benefit from these sessions.
Join Dr. Rebecca Knibb, leading UK psychologist with expertise in allergy, as she discusses transitioning to self-management focusing on pre-teen to young adult. This session will cover the mental health aspects that youth may experience on the path to independence and provide practical strategies for families on how to successfully manage these transitions. We’re thrilled to have Dr. Knibb’s expertise for this session, don’t miss out!
Plus, on August 18 and 25 join Kyle Dine on Instagram Live for a more in-depth one-on-one with youth on managing food allergy in middle school and high school.
Hear from Dr. Philippe Bégin and learn about what makes your food allergy severe. In this session, you will be introduced to the concept of thresholds (the lowest amount of a food allergen that can trigger a reaction), how co-factors and other mechanisms/therapies can lower the threshold at which one reacts, and an exploration on how they all relate to understanding the potential severity of food allergy and why for some it is not as severe and only mildly uncomfortable, while with others it can be life-threatening.
Registration now open: Allergy/Pals Allies online mentorship program
The 8-week online fall session begins September 25th. The program is FREE and has received outstanding feedback from participants. Spaces are limited and fill up quickly, so make sure to register your 7 to 15-year-old now.
By participating in the program, kids will:
- Build a support network by connecting with other children who have food allergy
- Learn strategies for managing their food allergy
- Feel more confident managing their food allergy
Watch the video below to get an overview of the program and its many benefits! Plus, read below to see how the program has impacted Tristan’s life. Be sure to register your child before September 25th, so they don’t miss out on an amazing experience connecting with other children living with food allergy.
Managing food allergy during COVID-19 and the importance of proper food labelling
Proper food labelling is essential in protecting Canadians with food allergy, and with the pandemic, reading and checking ingredient labels has become even more important due to purchasing groceries online or spending less time in the grocery store.
Beatrice Povolo, our Director of Advocacy and Media Relations and food safety expert, shares her advice in a recent interview in Innovating Canada. Read the article to learn more about what to look for in a food label, how to manage food allergy during the pandemic, and the importance of allergy awareness in relation to food innovation.
Plus, find helpful tips on grocery shopping during the pandemic in our COVID-19 and food allergy section.
Taking steps for a safe fall season with food allergy
As the new school year approaches, and students head back to class after months of virtual and hybrid learning, you may be wondering what steps you can take to help your child manage their food allergy and stay safe from COVID-19. These tips can help you prepare for the fall season.
Keep an eye out for food allergens
With the pandemic, your child may have become accustomed to eating meals in the comfort of your home and possibly haven’t had to be as vigilant about avoiding their food allergens. Be sure to talk to your child ahead of returning to school and remind them of the steps they can take to stay safe. Remind them to wash their hands with soap and water before eating, not to share food with others, and to only eat the food packed or prepared for them. Talk with your child about situations that may arise during the school year (such as being offered food by another student) and discuss how to respond.
Inform your child’s school of their food allergy before the first day
Before the start of the school year, be sure to inform the school of your child’s food allergy. Update your child’s Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan which lists their allergies, the signs and symptoms to watch for, and the emergency procedure to follow, and share a copy with the school and your child’s teacher.
Check that your child’s epinephrine auto-injectors are up-to-date
Make sure your child’s auto-injectors are not expired, and practice how to use one with your child. You can order a training device free of charge by visiting epipen.ca, allerject.ca, and emerade.ca.
Take steps to prevent the flu (and COVID-19)
To keep your child as healthy as possible, have them follow measures that limit infection, like mask-wearing and handwashing, and getting their annual flu shot. Watch the webinar recording to find out about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens with food allergy. You’ll learn about the approved vaccine options and recommended ages, and what to consider if your child/teen has a food allergy.
Help make your child’s school Allergy Aware
Encourage school staff to take a free AllergyAware.ca course on managing food allergy and anaphylaxis. The online courses are medically reviewed, mobile-friendly and easy to follow. Each 30-minute course covers the basics of anaphylaxis, ways to reduce risks, and what to do in an emergency.
Find more tips on preparing for back-to-school with food allergy during COVID-19 in our back-to-school section. You’ll find a host of resources and tools, including our back-to-school checklists, tip sheets, and more!
Tags: allergy allies, Allergy Pals, Back-To-School, contest, COVID-19 and food allergy, fall tips, latest news, webinars