HomeLatest news from Food Allergy Canada – June 2018

Latest news from Food Allergy Canada – June 2018

June 1, 2018

We’ve launched the Summer of TAG, with race car star Alex Tagliani! This year’s theme is around allergy-friendly kitchens – be sure to check out exclusive allergy-friendly recipes created by MasterChef Canada 2017 finalist Thea Vanherwaarden and Registered Dietitian Linda Kirste.

Learn about our collaboration with the Sweet Caroline Foundation and the recently launched pilot program for Canadian middle and high schools.

Attention post-secondary students: be sure to apply for the Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award for a chance to win $1,000. Hurry, the deadline for applications is June 22nd.

Food Allergy Awareness Month is over and we accomplished so much together! Find out how we did with our national outreach efforts. Also, check out our articles that were featured within Maclean’s magazine last month.


Summer of TAG has launched!

Join race car driver Alex Tagliani in raising awareness of food allergies with the Summer of TAG.

This year, the theme is on creating an allergy-friendly environment in the kitchen. From tips on how to cook safely and minimize the risk of cross-contamination, to recipes that have been exclusively created by MasterChef Canada 2017 finalist and allergy awareness advocate Thea Vanherwaarden, and Registered Dietitian Linda Kirste.

How you can be involved:

  • Create allergy-friendly meals – Alex along with MasterChef Canada 2017 finalist and allergy awareness advocate Thea Vanherwaarden create allergy-friendly recipes through interactive cooking demonstrations. Download the recipes now!
  • Participate in the Allergy-Friendly Kitchen contest – Coming soon! This contest launches on July 9, 2018.
  • Tips on cooking safely – Follow our top 10 cooking tips to help keep your kitchen allergy-friendly.
  • Attend a race – Cheer Alex on at his races across Canada and help to promote food allergy awareness with him.
  • Check out Alex’s top 10 list and share with others – Alex provides his advice for having a safe and fun summer.

Sweet Caroline Foundation launches Allergy Awareness in Schools pilot program

This past May, the Sweet Caroline Foundation announced the launch of a pilot project – Allergy Awareness for Schools – in collaboration with Food Allergy Canada. The program, meant for middle schools and high schools, includes a new video called “Caroline’s Story.”

Read more about the launch.

Watch the video (please note, this video is meant for teens):

Please email us at info@foodallergycanada.ca by July 15th if you would like to learn more about launching this program at your child’s school. Please note, this program is suitable for middle schools and high schools.


Call for applications – ENDS SOON: The Sabrina Shannon Memorial Award

Sabrina Shannon

Apply for your chance to win one of two $1,000 awards. You must be a student entering your first year or continuing your studies at a post-secondary institution. Applicants do not need to have food allergies to be eligible for the award.

Learn more and apply by June 22, 2018.


Food Allergy Awareness Month: What we accomplished together

Thank you for supporting Food Allergy Awareness Month. Many of you participated in the various events this year –

  • Painting a fingernail teal to prompt conversation and discussion
  • Sharing our videos and tip sheets
  • Wearing purple for Purple Day
  • Checking out the teal lit national monuments
  • Hosting an Allergy-Friendly Food Drive
  • Starting a fundraiser to support allergy awareness and education

This year, we drove 30 million impressions for food allergy awareness throughout May. This is our biggest outreach effort yet, thanks to our national outdoor billboard campaign and our digital/social campaign. Learn more about the campaign.

However, KEEP spreading the word! Although Food Allergy Awareness Month is now officially over, let’s keep allergy awareness and education top of mind all year long!

Here’s a great article for you to keep sharing on why people not impacted by food allergies can help!


Food Allergy Canada featured in Maclean’s insert

Last month, we were featured in an Asthma and Allergies insert inside Maclean’s magazine to create awareness around supporting children with food allergies and tips for dining out.

Check them out:

  • When dining out, “first and foremost, you need to do your homework”. Read the article for more helpful information when dining out with food allergies.
  • Read the article on how to support children with food allergies. We speak about the importance of reading food labels.
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