Food Allergy Research & Education
Professional services
UnclaimedFood Allergy Research & Education (FARE) is a United States nonprofit focused on food-allergy research, education, advocacy, and community support.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) is a United States nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with food allergies and advancing research into prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and disease management. Its work combines patient and family education, public awareness, professional training, policy advocacy, clinical-research infrastructure, and support for the food-allergy community. FARE was created in 2012 through the merger of two established organizations. The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), founded in 1991, developed educational materials and practical guidance for people managing food allergies and anaphylaxis at a time when public understanding and accessible resources were limited. The Food Allergy Initiative (FAI), established in 1998 by parents and relatives of people with food allergies, concentrated more heavily on funding and supporting medical research. Their combination gave FARE a broader platform spanning research, public policy, education, and direct community services. The organization produces information for patients, caregivers, schools, colleges, healthcare professionals, restaurants, food-service workers, and employers. Its materials address allergen avoidance, emergency preparedness, anaphylaxis response, epinephrine use, food labeling, school safety, travel, and the emotional and social effects of living with a potentially life-threatening condition. FARE also provides online courses, in-person educational programs, food-service training and certification resources, and tools such as a college-search service that helps students compare food-allergy accommodations at more than 1,100 institutions. Research is a central part of FARE's mission. The FARE Clinical Network, initiated in 2015 and expanded in 2020, links academic, clinical, and research centers conducting food-allergy studies and providing specialist care. The organization has also supported a patient registry, biobank and biorepository, and data-coordination capabilities intended to improve collaboration and accelerate clinical research. By 2021, participating network centers reported more than 45 food-allergy clinical trials and care for approximately 250,000 patients across 23 states and the District of Columbia. FARE co-funded the Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) study, whose 2015 findings contributed to changes in guidance encouraging the age-appropriate introduction of peanut-containing foods during infancy for children at risk of peanut allergy. Subsequent FARE-supported work has examined early introduction of multiple allergens, allergen-specific immunotherapy, nonspecific medicines, and improved diagnostic approaches. In the early 2020s, FARE launched the Start Eating Early Diet (SEED) initiative with researchers at Northwestern University to study the early introduction of several allergenic foods. FARE is also an advocacy organization. It has worked on federal food-labeling requirements, epinephrine access, school protections, research funding, specialized clinical care, and participation in research for underserved communities. Its advocacy contributed to implementation of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, which required plain-language declaration of eight major allergens on packaged foods. FARE also supported the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research Act of 2021, under which sesame became the ninth major allergen required to be identified in plain language on packaged foods beginning in 2023. Public-awareness initiatives include Food Allergy Awareness Week, first initiated by FAAN in 1998, and the Teal Pumpkin Project, which FARE has promoted since 2014. The Teal Pumpkin Project encourages households to offer non-food treats and display a teal pumpkin during Halloween, helping children with food allergies and other dietary restrictions participate more safely. FARE remains an active U.S. nonprofit operating at the intersection of public health, patient advocacy, medical research, and community education.
History
FARE's institutional history begins with two predecessor organizations that addressed different but complementary needs in the food-allergy community. The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network was founded in 1991 to provide practical information and support to people living with food allergies and anaphylaxis. At the time, families, schools, and healthcare providers had relatively limited access to standardized public education about allergen exposure, emergency response, and the everyday risks associated with food allergy. FAAN developed educational resources and awareness activities intended to make food-allergy management more understandable and actionable. The Food Allergy Initiative was established in 1998 by parents and family members of people with food allergies. Its principal emphasis was research: raising funds, encouraging scientific investigation, and supporting efforts to improve the understanding and treatment of food allergy. FAI helped create a philanthropic and advocacy base for research at a time when food allergy was receiving less research attention than many other chronic and immune-related diseases. In 2012, FAAN and FAI merged to form Food Allergy Research & Education. The merger consolidated patient education, advocacy, fundraising, and research support within a single national nonprofit. FARE inherited FAAN's community-facing education and awareness work and FAI's research-oriented mission, allowing it to address food allergy as both a public-health issue and a scientific challenge. Research infrastructure became an important part of FARE's post-merger strategy. The organization initiated the FARE Clinical Network in 2015 and expanded it in 2020. The network brought together academic institutions, research organizations, and clinical-care centers to support trials, specialist treatment, data coordination, and broader collaboration. FARE also developed or supported a patient registry, biobank, biorepository, and data-coordination center. In 2021, network centers reported more than 45 food-allergy clinical trials and care for approximately 250,000 patients in 23 states and the District of Columbia. FARE's research role has included support for the Learning Early About Peanut Allergy study, published in 2015. The study provided influential evidence that early, age-appropriate introduction of peanut-containing foods could lower the risk of peanut allergy in some infants. Its findings helped inform updated guidance from major medical bodies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. FARE-supported research has subsequently addressed early introduction of several allergens, oral and other allergen-specific immunotherapies, nonspecific medicines, and improved diagnostic methods. The Start Eating Early Diet initiative, launched in the early 2020s with Northwestern University researchers, extended this work to the possible preventive effects of introducing multiple allergens early in life. Education remains a major part of FARE's public role. The organization publishes guidance for families, caregivers, children, educators, school administrators, food-service workers, healthcare professionals, and researchers. Topics include allergen avoidance, emergency plans, epinephrine, school and college accommodations, food labeling, and the psychological burden associated with a life-threatening dietary condition. FARE also provides digital learning, in-person events, food-service resources, and a college-search tool designed to help students compare campus accommodations. FARE's advocacy history includes support for federal food-labeling and access policies. Its predecessor organizations were involved in advocacy surrounding the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, which required plain-language declaration of eight major allergens on packaged foods in the United States. FARE later supported the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research Act. The FASTER Act passed in 2021 and required sesame to be identified as the ninth major allergen on packaged foods beginning in 2023. FARE also advocates for epinephrine availability, food-allergy protections in schools, increased research funding, access to specialized care, and inclusion of underserved communities in research. Awareness work includes Food Allergy Awareness Week, which FAAN initiated in 1998 and which continues annually in May. FARE has promoted the Teal Pumpkin Project since 2014. The project began as a Halloween activity associated with the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee and encourages households to display a teal pumpkin and provide non-food treats, creating a safer and more inclusive experience for children with food allergies and other dietary restrictions. Through these combined research, education, advocacy, and awareness activities, FARE operates as a national food-allergy organization rather than a commercial consumer brand.
- 2023
Sesame labeling requirement takes effect
[1]Packaged foods in the United States became subject to the FASTER Act's plain-language sesame declaration requirement.
- 2021
FASTER Act passes
[1]The federal law supported by FARE added sesame to the list of major allergens subject to labeling requirements.
- 2015
FARE Clinical Network initiated
[1]FARE launched a network linking clinical and research centers working on food-allergy trials and care.
- 2015
LEAP study published
[1]The FARE-supported study produced evidence that influenced recommendations on early peanut introduction.
- 2014
Teal Pumpkin Project promoted by FARE
[1]FARE began promoting the Teal Pumpkin Project to encourage non-food Halloween treats and more inclusive celebrations.
- 2012
FARE created through merger
[1]FAAN and FAI merged to form Food Allergy Research & Education.
- 2004
Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act
[1]FAAN and allied advocates supported legislation requiring plain-language identification of eight major food allergens on packaged foods.
- 1998
Food Allergy Initiative established
[1]FAI was created by parents and families affected by food allergy to support and fund food-allergy research.
- 1991
Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network founded
[1]FAAN was established to provide public education and practical support concerning food allergies and anaphylaxis.
Products and positioning
A national nonprofit authority and community advocate focused on the full food-allergy ecosystem: research, education, patient support, public awareness, and policy change.
Education and professional training
Food Allergy Education and Training
FARE provides online courses, e-learning, events, and practical materials for people with food allergies, caregivers, schools, healthcare professionals, food-service personnel, and other audiences. Content covers allergen avoidance, emergency planning, anaphylaxis response, epinephrine, accommodations, and the social and emotional aspects of food-allergy management.
Clinical research infrastructure · 2015
FARE Clinical Network
The FARE Clinical Network connects academic, clinical, and research centers involved in food-allergy care and clinical trials. It is designed to improve collaboration, expand research capacity, support patient access, and coordinate data and study activity across participating institutions.
Public-awareness campaign · 2014
Teal Pumpkin Project
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a Halloween inclusion initiative promoted by FARE. Participating households display a teal pumpkin and offer non-food treats separately from conventional candy, helping children with food allergies and other dietary restrictions take part more safely.
Information and support service
College Search Tool
FARE's college-search resource helps prospective students and families compare food-allergy accommodations, dining practices, and related support at more than 1,100 colleges and universities.
Research resource
Food Allergy Patient Registry and Biorepository
FARE supports research resources including a patient registry, biobank or biorepository, and data-coordination capabilities. These assets are intended to enable collaborative studies and improve understanding of food-allergy disease patterns, diagnosis, and treatment.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Teal Pumpkin Project
United States · Other countries and territories
FARE promoted a Halloween initiative encouraging households to display teal pumpkins and offer non-food treats for children unable to safely consume or handle conventional food treats.
Outcome. The campaign developed into a broad community awareness program with participation in the United States and internationally.
- 1998Food Allergy Awareness Week
United States
Initiated by FAAN, Food Allergy Awareness Week is observed annually in May to increase public understanding of food allergies, anaphylaxis, prevention, and emergency preparedness.
Outcome. The observance became a recurring awareness program carried forward by FARE.
Brand decisions
2021
Support passage of the FASTER ActStrategyBackground
Sesame allergy required stronger visibility in packaged-food labeling, and food-allergy advocates sought expanded federal recognition and research attention.
Action taken
FARE advocated for the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research Act, which passed Congress with broad bipartisan support.
Aftermath
Sesame became the ninth major allergen subject to plain-language labeling requirements beginning in 2023.
2020
Launch the Start Eating Early Diet initiativeStrategyBackground
Evidence for early peanut introduction was influential, while the preventive effects of early introduction for other allergens remained less established.
Action taken
FARE collaborated with Northwestern University researchers on SEED to study early introduction of multiple food allergens.
Aftermath
The initiative extended FARE's prevention research beyond peanut allergy into broader early-diet questions.
2015
Build a coordinated clinical research networkStrategyBackground
Food-allergy research required broader coordination among academic investigators, clinical providers, and study participants.
Action taken
FARE initiated the FARE Clinical Network and later expanded it, alongside registry, biobank, biorepository, and data-coordination capabilities.
Aftermath
By 2021, participating centers reported more than 45 food-allergy clinical trials and care for approximately 250,000 patients across 23 states and the District of Columbia.
2012
Merge FAAN and FAI into FAREM&ABackground
The two predecessor organizations had complementary strengths: FAAN focused on education and community support, while FAI emphasized research funding.
Action taken
They combined their operations and missions to create Food Allergy Research & Education.
Aftermath
FARE became a unified nonprofit covering food-allergy research, education, advocacy, and public awareness.
Recent events
Reported
Fare launches food delivery service in New York City[3]
Fare announced its official launch in New York City as a food delivery service offering curated menus and batching neighborhood orders for delivery. The service charges restaurants 0% commission.
Reported
YumEarth and FARE announce food allergy awareness collaboration[4]
FARE and YumEarth announced a collaboration to raise awareness of life with food allergies and support the food allergy community. The collaboration includes fundraising, event sponsorship and participation, and specially marked YumEarth products with a portion of proceeds donated to FARE.
Sources4 sources
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