Our Leadership.

Being allergic to multiple foods, I have navigated a marketplace where the assurance of “allergen-free” often carries a subtle postscript—not affordable and difficult to find. When the pandemic struck, I could not imagine how more disadvantaged food allergy households were accessing safe food staples. In response to my challenges in grocery stores and an immediate need in my local Connecticut food pantries, I launched SSF.

As the second member of my family to have food allergies, finding safe food at a grocery store was not new to my family. After growing older and questioning the price differences between allergy-friendly products and their regular equivalents, I become more involved in food allergy awareness. I am grateful to be a part of this group of women banding together to help others.

I am one of three family members to have a food allergy. I’m passionate about spreading more awareness about food allergies, so that allergen-free options become more common in more diverse settings. I’m motivated to keep my family members and other community members with food allergies safe!

Growing up with a laundry list of food allergies, I have experienced firsthand challenges with finding safe food in public places. I quickly learned the negative implications of having food allergies as a result of the lack of education on food allergy safety and the ambiguity of food labeling. I am proud to be a part of an all-women team at SSF that understands the gravity of managing a food allergy and promotes equity in the food bank system at large.

I was born allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, and eggs. In early high school I was diagnosed with an intestinal disorder that further limits my diet. These experiences have made me passionate about raising awareness surrounding food allergies and have given me a unique perspective on the role food plays in our culture.

I first became interested in fighting food insecurity as a volunteer for an NYC community fridge initiative. Through this experience, I became acutely aware of the issue and its impact on people's lives. As someone who has a gluten allergy, I understand how important it is to have safe and nutritious food options available.

I joined SSF at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed to me the deep-seated social inequalities that afflict my different communities—including my food-allergic community. This global crisis coincided with my transition into adulthood, and spurred in me a desire to both found and become a part of initiatives that better the world I am maturing into.

My advocacy highlights have included lobbying on Capitol Hill for the FASTER Act and sharing my story at various conferences. Being a part of such a driven, powerful community inspires me to speak out for change.