About Us
Growing up with severe food allergies has required us to be vigilant about our food choices at all times. Whether dining at school, restaurants, or even at home, we must always be diligent in checking food labels for allergens, consulting with servers, and carrying our Epi-pens as an added precaution. Despite our preparedness, we have experienced severe allergic reactions. While we are fortunate to have access to allergy-safe options, many do not have the same privileges and are more likely to have allergic reactions. That is why we are motivated to make a positive impact on our community, advocating for allergy-safe food options for all families. We believe that everyone, regardless of their specific food allergies (nut, celiac, shellfish, dairy, or others), should have access to safe and healthy choices.
President and Chief Business Officer: Christopher Strovink
Read more about us and our original chapter:
www.safebiteswestchester.org
Start a Chapter
I have dealt with multiple food allergies my entire life. I’ve explained my food allergies to others many times, only to be met with uncertainty or confusion. Over the years, I’ve experienced multiple allergic reactions. Despite these challenges, I’m fortunate to have access to allergy-friendly foods. Many families across the United States, however, don't have that same privilege. Around 21% of children with food allergies also experience food insecurity, and those facing both are at greater risk of life-threatening allergic reactions.
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That’s why I’ve been building Safe Bites, an initiative focused on increasing access to allergen-friendly foods and improving food allergy awareness for food-insecure families. We run community food drives that collect sealed, clearly labeled, allergen-friendly foods for families in need, helping fill a critical gap in food banks, which often carry limited allergen-friendly options. We also provide bilingual food allergy education in English and Spanish to make sure families have the knowledge they need to stay safe.
After forming partnerships with local food organizations, food pantries, Hispanic community centers, and grocery stores, I realized how scalable this model could be and how many more families we could reach across the nation.
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That’s why I developed the Safe Bites replication kit: a step-by-step guide that, alongside direct mentorship I’m happy to provide, empowers student leaders across the country to launch their own Safe Bites chapters and make a difference in their communities.
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Together, we can create meaningful change in an important and overlooked dimension of public health. Along the way, we as champions of this cause can grow into the kind of other-focused leaders our world most needs. I encourage you to join us: start your own Safe Bites chapter and spread the word. Let’s advance this mission together.