258: Improving Accessibility and Accommodation: A Critical Look at the Food Service Industry

To kick off Food Allergy Awareness Month and Celiac Disease Awareness Month 2024, I had a captivating conversation with Amy Graves, a prominent advocate and expert in consumer food safety and inclusivity. Amy, founder of AMG Innovative Consultants and author of the upcoming book "The Hidden Consumer," shared her journey navigating life with severe food allergies and limited mobility. From battling an unrecognized corn allergy to facing daily accessibility challenges in public spaces and hotels, Amy's personal struggles have shaped not only her dietary choices and living arrangements but also her career trajectory.

We delved into strategies for businesses to effectively connect with and serve this vital consumer base. Amy highlighted the financial benefits of transparency in ingredient labeling and improved accessibility measures, emphasizing the costly repercussions of neglecting these growing demographics.

Our discussion uncovered industry misconceptions about food allergies, the divide between front-of-house and back-of-house staff, and the undisclosed realities of common food products. Amy's experiences, from navigating TSA checkpoints to sourcing safe baking ingredients, underscored the critical gaps in current industry practices.

Amy's journey serves as a powerful example of how personal challenges can catalyze profound changes in the food industry, opening doors to a $19 billion market of allergy-conscious consumers. Together, we stressed the urgency of raising awareness and understanding across all sectors, ensuring a more inclusive and accommodating environment for individuals with food allergies and celiac disease

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