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.

On my own trips to the grocery store, I spend a lot of time going through the ingredients and allergy statement of each product and deciding if I would feel safe eating it or not. I have food products and companies that I know I can rely on and purchase almost every trip. Customers of food pantries don’t often have the option to fall back upon a company they trust.

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 a team at SSF that understands the gravity of managing a food allergy and promotes equity in the food bank system at large.

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.

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 became more involved in food allergy awareness. I am grateful to be a part of this group of changemakers banding together to help others.

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