Be a M.A.T.E to those living with food allergies

Led by Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia, Food Allergy Week 2025 focuses on how to safely manage food allergies, providing a range of advice and resources, accessible here.

Creating a food-safe culture

Be a M.A.T.E. (Make Allergy Treatment Easier) is all about helping children grow their understanding of food allergies and how to adopt allergen safe practices.

Here are five tips from Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia on how to be food allergy aware:

1. Always take food allergies seriously
2. Know what your friends and family are allergic to
3. Don’t share food with those who have allergies
4. Wash your hands before and after eating
5. Notice and report if you see someone becoming unwell

Find more advice and information here.

Three recipe ideas

Here are three allergy safe recipe ideas that you may like to try at home.

*Please note that these are suggested recipe ideas and may not suit the dietary needs of all consumers or align to allergen management practices of your workplace and/or education provider. Always ensure to follow any allergen management practices and guidelines provided to you.

Cinnamon Apple Chips

This egg, dairy and nut-free recipe is from Kidspot Kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 3 apples, sliced thinly and core removed
• 3 tsp agave syrup
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Method:

1. Heat oven to 100°C and line two oven trays with baking paper.
2. In a bowl, toss the sliced apples with the agave nectar and cinnamon.
3. Line trays with the apple slices and bake for 2 hours.
4. Once baked, remove from the oven and carefully place the slices on cooling racks.
5. Once cooled, enjoy.

Mini ham and zucchini quiches

This nut-free recipe is from Kidspot Kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, partially thawed
• 1 zucchini, grated
• 80g leg ham, diced
• 1/2 cup grated tasty cheese
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk

Method

1. Preheat oven to 210°C and grease 2 x 12 hole cupcake/muffin tins.
2. Using a cut 12 circles from each sheet of pastry to fit each cupcake/muffin tin hole. Press rounds into the holes of cupcake/muffin tins.
3. Evenly divide the ham, grated cheese and grated zucchini between each cupcake/muffin hole. Whisk together the eggs and milk in a jug and pour an even amount on top of the filling in the holes.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden and puffed. Serve quiches warm or cold.

Chocolate cake

This dairy, egg and nut free recipe is from Kidspot Kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups plain flour
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 3 tbs cocoa
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup cold water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Find a 20cm x 20cm square non-stick baking pan.
2. Place the flour, sugar, cocoa, bicarbonate soda and salt straight into a bowl and whisk together to combine.
3. Add remaining ingredients to the bowl and combine.
4. Pour the mixture into the non-stick baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick placed into the centre comes out clean.

St Nicholas’ approach to nutrition and dietary management

St Nicholas understands the vital role that nutrition plays in children’s overall wellbeing and development and ensures that whilst in our care, children are provided with nutritious and delicious meals that complement the diversity within our communities. Our teams take pride in ensuring that each child’s dietary requirements are met.

Learn more here.