FAACT's Roundtable

Halloween with food allergies doesn't need to be scary when you are prepared! Keep the ghoulish giggles with Kristin M. Osborne , FAACT's Vice President of Education , as she shares fun, non-food, and allergen-savvy ideas. Kristin introduces and shares tips from FAACT's new Teal Ghost Toolkit to costume upcycling. To keep you in the know, below are helpful resources:  FAACT's ...

As a community, living with food allergies is one of the many things that makes us different. At FAACT, we embrace all differences and all people. We're sitting down with change maker and food allergy mom, Ashley Brundage, to help us explore how to empower others while embracing and leveraging our differences to make a change. Ashely is the Founder and President of Empowering Differences, who...

Hear how just a few hours of volunteering at schools can positively impact students with food allergies and everyone seeking safe fun! FAACT-recognized support group leader, and FAACT Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Board Member, Ashley Smith, shares why volunteering can model inclusive behavior, raise awareness, and support safe celebrations and events. To keep you in the know, below ar...

In this episode, we explore the world of food science and how it impacts people living with food allergies. We sit down with scientist and researcher, Melanie Downs, Ph. D., Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Food Science and Technology, to unlock the mystery of how food travels from the farmer to our food allergy tables. We'll also look behind the scenes...

We're exploring the world of nutrition, food aversion, and challenges created by health conditions impacted by food. Meghan McNeill, MS, RD, LD, from Cincinnati Children's Center for Eosinophilic Disorders (CCED), is joining us today to share tips and ideas to tackle these challenges. To keep you in the know, here are a few helpful links: Solid Starts : Starting solids, baby-led weaning...

Even the best-laid food allergy school accommodation plans can go awry. If challenges happen, parents and caregivers need to pivot. FAACT's General Counsel and Vice President of Civil Rights Advocacy, Amelia Smith, JD, shares tips and ideas for finding school solutions.  To keep you in the know: Back-to-School Accommodations: 504 Refresher Podcast FAACT’s Civil Rights Advocacy Podcasts Operat...

In this episode, we explore Back-to-School from the parent/caregiver perspective with FAACT's Vice President of Education, Kristin Osborne . Kristin shares some of her famous tips, such as using a musical play list to find inspiration for accommodation meetings! To keep you in the know, here are a few links to topics mentioned in the podcast: FAACT's Education Downloads (FREE downloads)...

In this episode, the National Peanut Board (NPB) President and CEO, Bob Parker, joins us to share how this agricultural organization became essential in food allergy advocacy and early introduction. Mr. Parker's warm personality shines as he shares his personal experiences with peanut allergies. To keep you in the know, below are helpful links: Visit the National Peanut Board to learn more ab...

In this episode, we explore expanding our outreach as food allergy advocates in our communities. We must avoid saviorism as we impact traditionally underrepresented communities as we coach and teach local leaders. Aleasa Word, FAACT's Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion , gives us the tools to learn how to support all of our communities and families with food allergies with sag...

In this episode, we discuss how to mentally prepare your middle and high school student with food allergies for Back-to-School. There is quite a bit taking place in this age group and Emery Brown, nationally certified school psychologist and FAACT’s Director of Behavior Health, helps us understand how to support and encourage good mental wellness. Emery provides insight on what is taking place dev...

In this episode, we discuss how to prepare your kindergarten through 4th-grade student with food allergies for Back-to-School separation with Emery Brown, nationally certified school psychologist and FAACT’s Director of Behavior Health. Emery provides tips on how to reduce anxiety and turn coping traps into helpful coping thoughts. Emery holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentr...

Nationally certified school nurse, Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN, whose commentary has been featured on CNN and the New York Times to name a few , discusses best practices for working with your school nurse to update your student's accommodations. Hear from one of the nation's foremost school nurses to pick up new tips for the upcoming school year. To keep you in the know, here...

We're discussing the impact of current Covid-19 guidelines and protocols on students with food allergies as we take a deeper dive into the basics of K-12 school accommodations with FAACT's General Counsel and Vice President of Civil Rights Advocacy, Amelia Smith, JD. Tips for handling accommodation violations and how to explain the severity of food allergy are a few highlights to expect...

In this episode, we learn potent tips for parents and caregivers as they pass the food allergy baton to their college students from food allergy advocate and parent of rising college senior, Jill Mindlin, JD . Jill discusses how to instill confidence and self-management skills and how to have challenging but essential conversations with your student. Please note: this episode addresses alcohol and...

Two leading mental health experts discuss with us a groundbreaking peer-to-peer food allergy mentoring pilot study conducted at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC. Linda Herbert, Ph. D. , an assistant professor in the Division of Psychology and Behavioral Health at Children's National Hospital, and Pediatric Psychologist Ashley Ramos, Ph. D., bring us the study from behind th...

In this episode, we’re discussing the challenges and impact of living with food allergies. More importantly, how to overcome these challenges, avoid pitfalls, and enjoy a healthy and happy teal way of life with Emery Brown, FAACT’s Director of Behavior Health. Emery holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Health Communication from the College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and a...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the process of participating in Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) with a board-certified allergist, Dr. Brian Vickery, who outlines, in detail, what takes place during OIT including ages, and family impact as you consider this treatment option. Dr. Vickery's signature, easy-to-understand style shines through this lively conversation.  To keep you in the know,...

In this episode, we sat down with Aleasa Word, FAACT's Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion , to learn why Juneteenth is an important holiday. We'll explore the history of this pivotal day and how we can celebrate with our families and loved ones while honoring traditions and keeping our family food allergy safe! To keep you in the know, below are helpful links: Juneteenth...

Mother Nature can bring wildfire, floods, and all sorts of natural disasters. In this episode, we break down how to prepare for an emergency whether you need to shelter in place or leave your home quickly while remaining diligent in managing food allergies.  FAACT's Vice President of Education, Kristin Osborne , shares tips and how her family, who lives in a hurricane zone, stay ready for any...

In this episode, food allergy educator, entertainer, and CEO & Founder of Equal Eats, Kyle Dine , share tips and tricks for staying safe when traveling locally or overseas. Kyle shares a few secrets and explains how to use Equal Eats restaurant and emergency cards and the deep research and work behind creating them. To keep you in the know, below are helpful links: Equal Eats Kyle Dine Share y...

This "Our Teal Way of Life" episode, created to honor Food Allergy Awareness Month, features a short, to-the-point conversation about food allergen cross-contact in a professional kitchen. Professional chef, Martha Morgan, also known as Allergy Dragon, explains the difference between cross-contact and cross-contamination while providing tips for dining out. To keep you in the know, here...

In this episode, we're talking about food allergen safe food! More than just a cookbook, The Everything Nut Allergy Cookbook, authored by FAACT's Director of Marketing, Lisa Horne , covers delicious recipes and how to substitute ingredients to customize meals to fit the allergen needs of your family. We explore how to use this cookbook as a learning tool to educate others about food alle...

This "Our Teal Way of Life" mini-episode, created to honor Food Allergy Awareness Month, features a short, to-the-point conversation about when a food allergy patient, parent, or caregiver needs to say no - and mean it! FAACT's Vice President of Education, Kristin Osborne , shares how and when to say no with respect, love, and kindness while staying safe with food allergies. To keep...

This "Our Teal Way of Life" mini-episode, created to honor Food Allergy Awareness Month, features a short, to-the-point conversation about when and how to discuss food allergies with your date. FAACT's Director of Behavioral Health, Emery Brown, Ed. S., NCSP - Nationally Certified School Psychologist, candidly shares tips and ideas for bringing up food allergies and staying safe dur...

In this episode, Kristin M. Osborne , FAACT's Vice President of Education , shares tips and fresh ideas to raise awareness and celebrate Food Allergy Awareness Week and Month. Please grab a coffee and sit back as we discuss raising awareness and sharing Our Teal Way of Life. To keep you in the know, below are helpful links: FAACT's Food Allergy Awareness Week and Month : Activities, soci...