ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Kids who would normally have to avoid stadium food due to severe allergies will get their own special tailgate party with the St. Louis Battlehawks this week.
St. Louis' XFL squad has teamed up with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter. AAFA Development Director Ben Nordstrom tells KMOX the Battlehawks' caterer is planning a special meal for families living with life-threatening food allergies.
"It's really, really challenging for these families to be able to go out and eat together," explains Nordstrom, "a lot of the feedback that we hear from parents and kids is that it can be very isolating. It can be scary and stressful and an experience that's full of anxiety, so they just don't go out."
Nordstrom says Championship Catering will have to pay special attention not only to ingredients, but to how food is prepared to avoid cross contamination. The meal will include items free of the top 8 allergens -- milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.
Battlehawks coaches and players will serve the meal this Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at their training facility.
For more on the special tailgate party, click here.