Community Spotlight

Finding out you or someone in your household has a food allergy can initially be scary and overwhelming.  There are food labels to read, actions plans to record and new social settings to navigate.  Many families do not know where to turn for help or support.  That's where the Food Allergy Alliance of the MidSouth (FAAM) can help.  

The Food Allergry Alliance of the MidSouth (FAAM) is a comprehensive support network for anyone navigating food allergies in the Memphis metro area and West Tennessee.   FAAM's primary goal is to make resources available to the local community that focus on support, education and advocacy.  FAAM provides opportunities for individuals and families managing food allergies to get together to learn from each other and have fun.  When founder, Kelley Barnett's children were first diagnosed with food allergies, she wished for more guidance as she tried to navigate and sift through information in books and online. "It was all very new and confusing."  Those challenges and feelings of isolation, led her to want to connect with other families who understood the unique challenges that managing food allergies brings.  She and her family reached out to others and pulled together a team of "like-spirited people and advisers" and the Food Allergy Alliance of the MidSouth was introduced in December 2015.    

FAAM is committed to sharing fact-based information with the MidSouth Community.  FAAM provides articles on their website, presentations for schools and groups, educational meetings, and food allergy awareness  information at health fairs and expos.  FAAM also organizes food free events for children with food allergies.  Barnett says "there are few things more rewarding than seeing a huge smile on a child's face while participating in a safe event, which many don't often get to do."  

The Food Allergy Alliance of the MidSouth is a completely volunteer run organization with great opportunities for those wanting to help support, educate and advocate.  FAAM accepts product and service donations such as bottled water for events, copy services for literature, and sponsors for meetings.  Anyone can join FAAM online for free.  Members receive emails with the latest news and updates, as well as member only event invitations.  Schools and community organizations seeking informative presentations on managing food allergies can email requests to faamidsouth@gmail.com.

FAAM is a great organization in the Memphis community helping individuals and families improve their quality of life through education and support.