Preparedness Starts Local

Preparedness Starts Local: Tips for Food Allergy Families

by Nicole Della Santina, MPH, FAACT Vice President of Public Health

This summer’s extreme weather events offer a tragic reminder that emergencies happen with little warning. These situations can be stressful for any family, but for those managing food allergies, there are added layers of complexity. Safe foods may become hard to find. Power outages may compromise food safety. Emergency shelters are not always equipped for special dietary needs.

The good news: a little preparation goes a long way. FAACT created the Disaster Resource Center to help you plan ahead and protect what matters most: your family’s safety and health. Here are five practical ways you can prepare right now.

1. Build or Update Your Family’s Go-Bag & Stay-Bag

Think of these as your family’s safety net when the unexpected happens. A Go-Bag covers up to 72 hours away from home. A Stay-Bag stores resources for up to two weeks at home. Stock yours with the following:

Shelf-stable, allergy-safe foods (check expiration dates!)
At least two epinephrine devices
Antihistamines and any daily medications
Food Allergy Action Plan and emergency contacts
Hand wipes, sanitizer, utensils, safe storage containers, and more

Download the complete checklists from FAACT's Disaster Resource Center.

2. Get to Know Your Local Food Pantry or Emergency Meal Site

Knowing where you can find safe food is critical during a disaster. Local food pantries vary widely. Some might let you choose items (so you can read labels), partner with programs that offer allergen-friendly foods, or be willing to stock allergy-safe items if they know there is demand.

Start here:

Check resources at foodpantries.org or dial 2-1-1
Call your local food bank and speak to a coordinator
Ask how the food bank handles food labeling, inventory, and special dietary needs
Reach out to FOODiversity for access to allergy-safe food resources

Tip: Let them know you are part of a national food allergy community. Most food pantry providers want to help, they just need guidance.

3. Reach Out to Local Emergency Planners

Food allergy safety often gets overlooked in big-picture emergency plans—but your voice can help make a difference! Here’s what you can do:

Ask your child’s school about emergency food storage and shelter-in-place plans
Attend a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) meeting or a local preparedness event
Suggest that food allergy needs be included in your city or county emergency protocols

Even one conversation with a school nurse, emergency planner, or local leader can make an impact.

4. Practice Your Family Emergency Plan

Preparedness isn’t just about what’s in your bag, it’s about what’s in your plan. Make sure every family member knows:

Where the epinephrine is kept
What happens if you need to evacuate quickly
How you plan to communicate if cell service is down

Make it a habit: Review your plan twice a year—at the start of school and mid-winter—to adjust for growth, new medications, or lifestyle changes.

5. Use FAACT’s Disaster Resource Center

You don’t have to start from scratch, we’ve done the work for you! FAACT’s Disaster Resource Center offers:

Go-Bag and Stay-Bag checklists
Shelter and emergency food tips
Downloadable Food Allergy Action Plans and Emergency Contact Lists
Links to trusted partners and local resources

Visit FAACT's Disaster Resource Center and share it with your school, local food pantry, or emergency team.

Food for Thought…

Preparedness doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Taking a few small steps—such as packing safe snacks, connecting with a local pantry, or updating your disaster and emergency preparedness plan—can make a big difference. When we plan ahead, advocate locally, and raise awareness together, we build safer, stronger communities for everyone.

Help Shape Better Preparedness for ALL Food Allergy Families

Your voice matters, even if your family has never experienced a natural disaster. FAACT is conducting a Survey for Food Allergy Families on Disaster Preparedness & Access to Safe Food to better understand the needs of our community.

Preparedness Starts Local