Mount Prospect nonprofit to recognize allergy-friendly restaurants
MOUNT PROSPECT, IL, March 3, 2020 - The Inclusive Eating Project, a new nonprofit working to improve social environments for those with food allergies, has launched a campaign to recognize restaurants for their efforts in being inclusive to consumers with food allergies.
The nonprofit is encouraging locally-owned restaurants to meet four basic criteria related to website, menu, employee training, and customer interaction. Those that meet these criteria will be recognized on The Inclusive Eating Project's website at www.inclusiveeating.org, and will be openly promoted by the nonprofit at events and through social media interactions.
"Consumers with food allergies have trouble finding new places to eat," says Executive Director Edward Rotchford. "They tend to stick with the places they are most familiar with, and that often ends up being national chain restaurants with standardized menus. It is our hope that this campaign will highlight local businesses that go the extra mile to be inclusive to those whose options are usually limited."
According to Food Allergy and Research Education (FARE), nearly 32 million people in the United States have a food allergy, and Rotchford says the nonprofit's internal polling suggests these people are more likely to dine out at restaurants that openly address food allergy awareness through avenues such as restaurant websites. The Inclusive Eating Project has also started a petition on their website to encourage restaurants to minimize the concerns of potential customers with food allergies.
About The Inclusive Eating Project:
The Inclusive Eating Project is a new Illinois nonprofit organization, established in Fall of 2019. The organization's mission is to increase inclusion and acceptance of individuals with food allergies by expanding allergy-friendly public dining options and promoting safe practices within social settings to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction.
Visit www.inclusiveeating.org or call 224-733-0800 for further information.