Food Allergy Research & Education is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to food allergy awareness, education, research, and advocacy; the group provides information, programs, and resources about food allergies and anaphylaxis. The organization was founded in 1991 to serve as a clearinghouse for food allergy information, by a parent whose own daughter was diagnosed with milk and egg allergy. The McLean, Va.-based organization has approximately 23,000 members in the U.S. and overseas. Members are individuals, families, health care professionals, school and camp staff, child care providers, corporations, policymakers, organizations, institutions, and members of the pharmaceutical and food industries. Information disseminated by FARE, whether on its website or through its newsletters, is reviewed for accuracy by its Medical Advisory Board, composed of the world's leading medical authorities in the area of food allergy science. In early 2010, FARE received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management, for the third year in a row. FAAN's activities are centered on its four mission points: to raise public awareness, to provide advocacy and education, and to advance research on behalf of those affected by food allergy and anaphylaxis.
Awareness
Through media, and awareness programs, FARE helps people better understand the daily challenges of managing food allergies. Several celebrities are working to bring national recognition both to FARE and to the cause of food allergies. FARE's Ambassadors include:
Frank Dicopoulos — actor who has channeled his efforts to raise awareness and has gotten involved with FARE's Walk for Food Allergy event in Long Branch, NJ.
Chris Dodd — Senator until 2011 who is a strong supporter of food allergy awareness, and has been working with FARE to educate others about food allergies. Sen. Dodd is co-sponsor of the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act.
Adam Pascal — recording artist and Broadway star who believes in families educating themselves as best as they can about food allergies.
Brian Thompson — award-winning New Jersey reporter of WNBC 4 New York who is an active supporter of FARE, having served as the 2009 Emcee for the Walk for Food Allergy in Long Branch, NJ.
Ming Tsai — celebrated chef who's worked extensively with FARE to advocate for individuals with food allergies in restaurants.
Trace Adkins — country music star who served as the 2010 National Honorary Chair for FARE's Walk for Food Allergy. Trace, whose daughter has food allergies, raised three-quarters of a million dollars for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.
In 2010, 37 states recognized Food Allergy Awareness Week, an initiative FARE began in 1998, with official proclamations. The organization has also raised awareness through numerous newspaper and magazine articles, television reports, and fundraising events across the U.S., such as the Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward a Cure.
Advocacy
FAAN advocates for national, state and local policies that have a positive impact on members of the food allergy community. On the national level, FAAN was instrumental in passing the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act over the objections of large food manufacturers, in 2004. As a result of FALCPA, the presence of major food allergens must be indicated, in simple terms, on packaged food items. At the state level, FAAN has helped enact policies in more than 30 states that make epinephrine more available from Emergency Medical Services, has helped create food allergy management guidelines for schools in more than ten states, and spearheaded a new law in Massachusetts designed to help raise awareness of food allergy among restaurant staff. On a local level, FAAN has helped summer camps, child care centers, recreational facilities, colleges/universities, and public/private schools develop policies and approaches with the food allergy community in mind. In 2014, FARE started the Teal Pumpkin Project, where families participating in Halloween signal that they have alternative treats available for people with allergies by placing a teal pumpkin or a flyer from the FARE website at their door.
Research
There is no cure for food allergy yet, but research is being conducted throughout the world to find a cure or therapies for food allergy. Since the inception of its donor-funded Research Grant Program, FAAN has committed more than $4.6 million to scientists studying various areas of food allergy and anaphylaxis. FAAN has partnered with the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to fund the Exploratory Investigations in Food Allergy program to encourage researchers to move into the field of food allergy. FAAN also initiates research and surveys its members on various quality of life issues.
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Alliance
FAAN is the founding member of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Alliance, an international alliance of patient education groups that collaborate on food allergy issues from a more global perspective. In 2010, the Alliance held its tenth annual meeting, and attracted participation from both the World Health Organization and the World Allergy Organization. Currently, the Alliance comprises 14 members representing 13 countries.
