For years, peanuts were banned in Oakley Union Elementary (CA), Towns County (GA), and Hickory City Schools (NC). Whether due to allergy concerns, parental pressure, or longstanding district policies, peanuts and peanut butter were considered too risky to serve.
But that’s no longer the case.
Today, these three districts not only serve peanut products, they serve them confidently, with systems in place to protect students with allergies while expanding nutritious options for everyone else. The path to get there wasn’t identical, but the result is the same: a smoother, safer, more inclusive approach to serving peanuts.
Why the Ban?
Each district had its reasons. In Oakley Union, allergy concerns led to avoidance in meals. Becky Mullins, School Nutrition Director at Towns County, said they implemented a complete ban due to “parental pressure and district policy.” In Hickory City Schools, the ban had been in place for over 15 years. “It was in effect when I came to work at the district,” said Christy Gwyn, School Nutrition Director. “I’m not sure how or why it started.”
What Sparked the Shift?
Change came from a mix of practical challenges and growing demand.
Towns County cited difficulty enforcing the ban outside the cafeteria and a new superintendent willing to revisit outdated policies. In Oakley Union, the shift was driven by a desire for inclusion, specifically, “inclusion of diverse foods.”
For Hickory City Schools, the transition began with a simple realization: students want peanut butter. “I understood the demand for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (Uncrustables™) from the previous district I worked at,” said Gwyn. “I knew students would participate when offered Uncrustables™ versus other lunch entrees.”
How They Did It
Each district put safety first. All three implemented allergen awareness training and safe serving methods across all buildings. Common approaches included clearly labeled menu items, designated allergen-free seating, and the use of peanut products in forms that helped control for cross-contact—such as individually portioned servings.
In Towns County and Hickory City Schools, procedures at the point of sale ensured students with allergies couldn’t accidentally select peanut-containing items. Hickory City went even further. Their team:
- Held stakeholder discussions with school leaders, nurses, custodians, and cafeteria staff
- Flagged allergens at the register
- Reached out directly to parents of students with peanut allergies
- Launched the change during National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day
They also drew on external help: “I obtained valuable resources from the National Peanut Board to better inform all stakeholders,” said Gwyn.
Oakley Union opted to start small. Their advice: “Start at your higher grade schools first before introducing it to K-5,” said Maria Bautista, School Nutrition Director.
The Results
All three districts describe the transition as smooth—with no allergy incidents reported.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:
- Bautista at Oakley Union said, “The students love the peanut butter options. Often times, we run out of that first.”
- Becky Mullins at Towns County said, “Everyone is glad to have peanut butter sandwiches back.”
- Gwyn at Hickory City Schools said she received “All positive feedback.”
Each district reported benefits across the board—greater student acceptance, increased participation, improved menu variety, and cost effectiveness.
What They’d Tell Other Schools
The directors didn’t just change policy, they changed perceptions. And they have advice for peers looking to do the same.
Towns County emphasized the difficulty of enforcing total bans: “We cannot control what comes into the cafeteria or school from outside.”
Hickory City Schools shared a reminder to lead with empathy: “Communicate with all stakeholders, hear parents’ concerns, take the time to ensure parents know you care about their child.”
The Bottom Line:
Bringing peanuts back isn’t about reversing a ban. It’s about evolving a food program to be more inclusive, more practical, and more student-focused—with the right precautions in place. These districts have shown it can be done—and done well.
Looking for more inspiration? Be sure to explore our additional case study from Lee County Schools, where thoughtful planning and stakeholder engagement helped reintroduce peanut butter in a way that supported participation and safety. For practical guidance, download our Best Practices for Bringing Peanut Butter Back handout—a step-by-step resource designed for school nutrition teams. And to support your staff and community with credible information, don’t miss our Allergen Management Education for K-12 Schools handout, which provides research-backed insights to help schools serve peanuts confidently and responsibly.
School Stats
Oakley Union Elementary School District
Location: Oakley, CA
Number of Schools: 9
Student Enrollment: 5295
Free/Reduced Percentage: 42.81%
Students Served Daily: 3500
ADP - Breakfast: 756.0
ADP - Lunch: 2760.0
Towns County
Location: Hiawassee, GA
Number of Schools: 3
Student Enrollment: 985
Free/Reduced Percentage: CEP District Wide
Students Served Daily: 700
ADP - Breakfast: 50.4
ADP - Lunch: 72.9
Hickory City Schools
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Number of Schools: 9
Student Enrollment: 3860
Free/Reduced Percentage: 61.07%
Students Served Daily: 1745-2509
ADP - Breakfast: 1745.0
ADP - Lunch: 2509.0