Raising food allergy awareness and funds – Jordan’s story

Tell us a little bit about yourself, including how you are impacted by food allergy.  

I was diagnosed with allergies to walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts at a very young age. As a young child, I found this very difficult to comprehend but since then, I’ve learned to manage my food allergies. When at restaurants, I always let the servers know about my allergies and I ask about ingredients. I make sure that what I’m ordering is safe and that the chef knows to be careful with cross-contamination. In addition, whenever I am going to eat something that I haven’t eaten in the past, I’ll take a look at the ingredient list and make sure that it’s safe to eat. I always carry around my EpiPen^®. No matter where I am going, I bring it with me.  I was also diagnosed a few years ago with celiac disease. 

What motivated you to start a campaign and raise funds for Food Allergy Canada? 

I’m motivated to raise funds for Food Allergy Canada because I want to help others with the challenges that can come with managing food allergies. My goal is to contribute to a future where living with food allergies is safer and more manageable for everyone. 

I started a website called Jordan’s Picks that lists common allergens found in the foods served at each restaurant in the food court of a mall that I live close to. This will make it easier for people with food allergies to make safe choices. I’ve done my best to compile this information from many sources, including restaurant and company websites, publications, and personally speaking with staff at these outlets. While I have done my best to gather all the allergen information, it’s still up to each individual to ask about ingredients and the possibility of cross-contamination by reading the ingredient list and talking with restaurant staff. 

Through the website, I’m asking for donations to Food Allergy Canada.  

When did you/your family first connect with our organization and how do you use our resources? 

My younger brother also has nut allergies, so our family has been using Food Allergy Canada as an informative resource for years and we are so grateful that it exists. My parents have found the website and educational materials to be very helpful for them.