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August 31, 2006
Whole Foods Markets Step Up to Help FAAN
Back-to-school season leaves parents of children with food allergies searching for safe food choices for the lunchbox. Whole Foods Market has been a resource for families with food allergies as the store carries many products for special diets. It also provides a live product listing on its web site for shoppers with special diets including gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, reduced sugar, low sodium, soy, and low fat.
To raise awareness about food allergies and support the national effort to find a cure, five Whole Foods Markets locations in Massachusetts held a 5% Day on Tuesday, Aug. 29, to benefit the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). FAAN is a non-profit organization that raises public awareness, provides advocacy and education, and works to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis. Five percent of the day's sales in each store will be donated to FAAN's local fund-raiser.
According to FAAN, food allergy reactions result in over 30,000 emergency room visits each year, and it's estimated that nearly 200 people die annually from anaphylaxis to food, including children and young adults. FAAN also reports that 12 million Americans live with this potentially life-threatening disorder.
In order to continue its mission to one day finding a cure to food allergy, FAAN is sponsoring walks across the nation benefiting food allergy research and education.
Each of the five Whole Foods Market locations hosted a representative from FAAN to talk to customers about its organization and resources available. In addition, product tastings and vendor demonstrations will be happening throughout the day.
To learn more about Whole Foods Market's on line Special Diets resource, visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/specialdiets/index.html.
source: townonline.com
Posted by David at August 31, 2006 4:36 PM