OUr mission
We at ProjectASFA believe that people with food allergies deserve to have access to foods they can eat, regardless of income, because access to safe foods is a right. We are partnering with food banks to develop allergy friendly sections, as well as helping to coordinate how they can best serve those facing food insecurity and food allergies. We are also working with those holding food drives to help encourage donation of allergy friendly foods, and fundraising to purchase and donate allergy friendly foods to local food banks. Our mission is to create safe and reliable places for individuals with food allergies to access food. To find a list of the food banks, pantries, and food collection box locations we have partnered with to help provide allergy friendly foods to the community, check out our Food Bank Partners page. While this initiative has originated in Los Angeles, California, our ultimate goal is to expand nationwide.
Whether you are an individual, a food bank, or a company, there are a number of meaningful ways you can support our initiative! We invite you to go to our Support Us page to find ways you can help.
OUr team
My name is Marissa-Skye, and I am one of the 32 million Americans living with food allergies, 26 million of whom are adults, and 6 million children. When I completed my undergraduate degree in 2020, I faced an uncertain job market as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I lost the job I had in college, and new job offers were rescinded. However, I was very fortunate that my family could help support me while I continued to pursue job opportunities. This allowed me to still have reliable access to the allergy safe foods I needed. But throughout this, I began to think about the millions of other Americans living with food allergies. What about those who aren't as fortunate as myself? Those who don't have the financial ability to purchase allergy safe foods directly from a store, and instead have to rely on their local food banks? Can they count on being able to find allergy safe foods? I searched for food banks in the Los Angeles area that were allergy friendly, and found none able to accommodate food restrictions such as these. I believe that every individual deserves to have confidence in their ability to access allergy safe foods irrespective of their financial circumstances, so I started ProjectASFA with the goal of achieving just that.
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Hi! My name is Adithi Rao. I graduated from UCLA in 2024 with a degree in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology. I'm working with ProjectASFA because I believe everyone deserves access to nourishing, healthy, and tasty food that meets their specific needs. Having friends and family with food allergies, as well as dietary restrictions myself, I have seen how complicated that can be. I'm passionate about this project because it helps curb those issues for those that need it the most.
My name is Ava Hekmati, and I am a current medical school student who joined the ProjectASFA team while a college Junior. When I first heard about providing allergy safe foods for those in my community, I was instantly intrigued. Growing up, I always felt left out from enjoying the same snacks as others with my nut and egg allergies. I was constantly reading nutrition labels and felt that there weren’t many options for me. Therefore, it made me feel so excited to be part of an organization that strives to provide safe food options for those who don’t necessarily have the option to choose.
Hi, my name is Bernard Regidor. I graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Human Biology and am currently attending medical school. My interest in food allergies stems from my own past history of an egg allergy and now, as a good friend of Marissa-Skye, I have a grown strong interest in spreading awareness about food allergies in order to help build more inclusive communities.
My name is Bethany Marie Beatty, and I received both my Master of Science in Integrative Anatomical Sciences and my Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a minor in Health Care Studies from the University of Southern California. I was introduced to this project by my colleague Marissa-Skye, and I was immediately drawn to it due to my own experience with food allergies and a passion for helping my community. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at a young age and experience other food allergies as well. I am so excited to help make allergy safe foods more accessible to the Greater Los Angeles community.
My name is Eddie Fung, I grew up in Torrance, CA and went to UC Berkeley to study Immunology and Data Science. I am currently working for Berenson Cancer Center as I apply to medical school. I am a dedicated Lakers fan and I like to draw in my free time. I am working with ProjectASFA because I have family and friends with food allergies. While I have none of my own, (just some bad indigestion to certain foods 🙂) I can empathize with how difficult living with food allergies must be. I am passionate about working towards the goals of this initiative as we strive to make access to safe foods a reality for everyone!
My name is Rocky Levin, and my fascination with the human body and health has led me to get involved with ProjectASFA. I am passionate about ensuring that allergies and dietary restrictions do not prevent individuals from receiving the food and nutrients they need.
