Home › Food Allergies
Food Help for Food Allergies
~32M Americans live with food allergies (FARE). Mainstream pantries often lack allergen-free options + EpiPens cost $300-700 uninsured. This page lists resources: FARE, AAFA, allergen-aware pantries, EpiPen affordability programs, FALCPA labeling, school accommodations.
EMERGENCY: Anaphylaxis is medical emergency. If difficulty breathing / swelling / fainting after eating: USE EpiPen + CALL 911.
1. National organizations
- FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) — foodallergy.org. Line: 1-800-929-4040. Main US food allergy organization.
- AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) — aafa.org. Line: 1-800-727-8462. Allergy + asthma support.
- Kids with Food Allergies (KFA) — kidswithfoodallergies.org. AAFA division. Parent community.
- Allergy & Asthma Network — allergyasthmanetwork.org
- FAACT (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team) — foodallergyawareness.org
2. FALCPA — allergen labeling
Under Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA, 2004) + FASTER Act (2021), packagers MUST label 9 major allergens:
- 9 major allergens — milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, sesame (sesame added FY23)
- "Contains" statement — easy to read on packaging
- "May contain" / "Made in same facility" — precautionary, NOT required by law but useful
- Other allergens — corn, mustard, gluten (non-celiac), oat, etc. NOT on FALCPA list but must appear in ingredients
3. EpiPen / Auvi-Q / generic — affordability
- EpiPen / Auvi-Q manufacturer copay cards — Mylan / Kaleo. Reduces copay for private insurance. Does NOT work with Medicare / Medicaid.
- Generic epinephrine (Adamis Symjepi, Teva) — ~$100-200 uninsured vs $300-700 EpiPen brand
- GoodRx coupons — can reduce epinephrine cost ~50%
- NeedyMeds — needymeds.org. Comprehensive medication-assistance locator.
- Walmart $0 epinephrine — some states offer $0 epinephrine with coupons. Check.
- Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief — copays.org
- Medicaid — covers epinephrine without copay in many states
- School-stocked epinephrine — all 50 states now allow schools to stock undesignated epinephrine
4. SNAP — allergen-free food costs
- Allergen-free products are ~2-3x more expensive — similar to GFCF / kosher
- SNAP medical deduction — under 7 CFR 273.9(d)(1), if 60+ or disabled, additional cost may deduct if medically prescribed
- Doctor letter for SNAP — required to deduct allergen-free food as medical expense
- WIC with prescription — some states allow substitution when allergy documented (e.g., soy milk instead of cow)
- Buy direct from manufacturer — some allergen-free brands (Enjoy Life, MadeGood) offer "subscribe + save" online with discount
5. Allergen-aware pantries
- Mention allergy — most pantries separate allergen-free items if they know. Ask volunteer specifically.
- Naturally allergen-free items — fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh meat, rice, dried beans, basic canned
- Mandatory label reading — on every packaged item. NEVER assume "same as before."
- Share items with allergens — if you get items you can\u0027t eat, give to neighbors. Another family benefits.
- Allergic Living Magazine pantry list — allergicliving.com — some pantries listed as allergen-friendly
6. School 504 plan — allergies
- Under Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act — severe food allergy qualifies as disability. School MUST provide accommodations.
- Modifications under 7 CFR 210.10(m) — NSLP/SBP must substitute for documented allergies
- EpiPen at school — permitted + trained admin typically available
- Allergen-free table — some schools have designated table
- Pizza nights / fundraisers — school must ensure allergic child has options
- OCR Hotline — 1-800-421-3481 if discrimination
7. OIT — Oral Immunotherapy
- Palforzia (peanut OIT) — FDA-approved 2020. Reduces peanut reactions. Covered by some insurance + Medicaid.
- Off-label OIT — some allergists offer OIT for milk, egg, tree nut. Costs vary $5,000-15,000.
- OIT Provider Directory — oit.org — locator
- Xolair — FY24-approved for reducing reactions in multiple food allergies. $$$$ but covered.
8. SSI/SSDI — severe allergies rare but possible
- Severe recurrent anaphylaxis — may qualify under SSA listing 8.04 (autoimmune disorders) or equivalent listings
- Children with multiple severe allergies — may qualify for SSI under "Marked / Severe Functional Limitation"
- Documentation — multiple ER visits + ICU stays + medical history required
- Legal consultation — highly individualized cases. FARE can refer.
Need help today?
- 911 — anaphylaxis. Use EpiPen first, then call.
- FARE Helpline — 1-800-929-4040
- AAFA — 1-800-727-8462
- NeedyMeds — needymeds.org
- 211 — mention "food allergy" or "anaphylaxis"
Related resources
Last updated 2026-04-30. Feed America Inc. (EIN 92-1761881).