Securing Safe Food Delivers Allergen-Free Emergency Food Supplies to Los Angeles-Area Pantries
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
March 9, 2026, Announcement
The organization delivers allergen-free supplies to Los Angeles–area food pantries to support individuals and families with food allergies during times of need.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Securing Safe Food, a national nonprofit organization working to expand access to allergen-free and culturally relevant foods within the food bank system, recently delivered emergency food relief to four Los Angeles-area partner pantries. The initiative comes amid tightening federal SNAP work requirements and the ongoing need for climate-resilient emergency food supplies following recent wildfire disasters.
Through these deliveries, Securing Safe Food provided more than 1,400 pounds of allergen-free staple foods designed to remain viable during emergency conditions. Items provided an estimated 16,266 servings and included shelf-stable plant-based milk, quinoa, sunflower seed butter, teff flour, masa harina, gluten-free baking mixes, certified gluten-free rice and beans, and olive oil. Pantries served included All Peoples Center, Culver-Palms Family MCA, Friends in Deed Pasadena, and Nourish LA.
Beyond food distribution, Securing Safe Food partners with local pantries to strengthen long-term capacity. The organization supports sites in establishing dedicated allergen-free zones and implementing client surveys to better understand food allergies and dietary restrictions within their communities.
Local Impact
The Los Angeles initiative reflects growing demand for inclusive emergency food solutions, particularly as climate-related disasters continue to disrupt food access across California.
“Securing Safe Food addresses a critical gap in the emergency food system: the fact that standard 'one-size-fits-all' pantry boxes often exclude those with life-threatening dietary restrictions. These allergen-free items provide a sense of normalcy and security for our most
vulnerable clients who often find their options limited at traditional pantries. As we saw throughout the 2025 wildfire recovery period, inclusive food solutions are the backbone of a resilient community. We must move toward a model where emergency-ready, shelf-stable foods are accessible to everyone, regardless of their health requirements or the stability of their housing,” said Jess Castillo, Operations Director at Nourish LA.
“Too many food pantries lack organizational structures to accommodate medically vulnerable populations. Pairing sustainable, allergen-free foods with education is critical. By investing in physical resources and communication—speaking with program directors, visiting pantry sites, gathering allergen community data—we can create stronger support pathways in preparation for future climate emergencies,” said Rachel Brooks, Founder and CEO of SSF.
About Securing Safe Food
Securing Safe Food is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to revolutionizing access to allergen-free, sustainable, and culturally relevant foods within nutrition safety nets. Led by university students and early-career professionals, the organization works alongside food banks and pantries to build safer, more inclusive emergency food infrastructure nationwide.
Learn more at securingsafefood.org.
Securing Safe Food Corp.