Special to IFN
FOODiversity staff members will report the impacts of the Mooresville-based nonprofit’s Food Delivery Program, Early Introduction Parent Program, and disaster relief efforts during this weekend’s Center for Allergy & Asthma Research’s (CFAAR) Food Allergy Summit in Chicago.
Three of FOODiversity’s research posters, developed in collaboration with multiple food allergy organizations, have been accepted for presentation at the conference, which will offer food allergy policy, prevention, and pediatric education tracks.
The nonprofit works to reduce barriers and improve outcomes for those who are food-insecure and struggling to obtain nutritious, safe foods from grocery stores and food pantries, due to their diagnosis of food allergies, celiac disease, or food intolerances.
FOODiversity Executive Director Wendy Gordon Pake and Director of Programs & Development Mackenzie Farmer will report the impacts of FOODiversity’s Food Delivery Program, Early Introduction Parent Program, and disaster relief efforts.
“CFAAR’s Food Allergy Summit provides an invaluable opportunity for nonprofits, researchers, physicians, and organizations to gather under one roof and share their knowledge,” Farmer said. “FOODiversity looks forward to highlighting our programs as feasible and scalable models for systemic change.”
The Food Delivery Program
The Food Delivery Program delivers nutritious and allergen-friendly/gluten-free groceries to households experiencing food insecurity and also managing food allergies, celiac disease, or food intolerances. When these groceries are paired with nutrition education, autonomy, and the dignity of choice, participants report improved health, confidence in managing their dietary restriction, and treatment expansion. Through the poster presentation, Pake and Farmer will illustrate the favorable role that participant engagement has on program outcomes.
The Early Introduction Parent Program
In 2024, many CFAAR conference discussions revolved around the slow dissemination of infant feeding education as it pertains to food allergy prevention. In response, FOODiversity created the Early Introduction Parent Program with the first cohort currently underway in Iredell County. The focus of the program is to raise awareness and improve knowledge of early allergen introduction among parents and caregivers, particularly those with limited resources who lack access to routine preventative healthcare.
“Even though the current guidelines on early allergen introduction were published by the NIAID in 2017 and adopted by the USDA in 2020, research shows persistent confusion and misinformation among parents and caregivers, leading to noncompliance,” Pake shared. “FOODiversity’s programs have always focused on ensuring that overlooked populations receive equitable access to food allergy resources. The Early Introduction Parent Program continues this work by providing every parent and caregiver with tools to possibly prevent food allergies in their child.”
Disaster Preparedness & Response
When Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, FOODiversity immediately launched disaster relief efforts to ensure impacted households with dietary restrictions had access to allergen-friendly and gluten-free foods. Through partnerships with the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT), FOODiversity distributed safe foods to in-need households in Western North Carolina. Pake and Farmer plan to share this impact and the need for additional safeguards during disaster response for those with dietary restrictions.
LEARN MORE
To learn more about FOODiversity and its programs, visit www.foodiversity.org.