Parents of children with food allergies know that diagnosis is only the first step. Families spend hours meeting with providers, planning meals and searching for allergen-free foods. The condition is especially challenging for families facing limited or uncertain access to food.
In partnership with families, dietitians, community organizations and generous supporters, the Food Allergy Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has developed a new screening tool, food pantry and grocery delivery program.
First, when families visit the Food Allergy Center, they are invited to use a screening tool to help identify those who might need assistance accessing allergen-free food. The CHOP team then connects families with community resources, arranges dietitian consultations and helps parents navigate federal programs. To date, 4,500 families have been screened.
“The response has been extraordinary,” says Alex Navard-Keck, MD, attending physician with the Division of Allergy and Immunology. “Seventy-five percent of patients use the tool, which has enabled us to connect more than 400 families with food resources and to refer an additional 150 families to dietitian services.”
To reduce the financial and emotional stress of managing a food allergy, the Food Allergy Center launched the Allergy Clinic Food Pantry in July 2025. Located in the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, the pantry has distributed 600 allergen-friendly food items, as well as gluten-free and dairy-free options.
“There can be a stigma around receiving free food, so it was crucial to create a nonjudgmental space that felt welcoming to all families, regardless of their situation,” says Food Pharmacy manager Abbe Stern, MHCI.
Now making deliveries, too
In response to federal assistance cuts in October 2025, the team piloted produce delivery. In the first week, they enrolled five families for deliveries of fresh fruit and vegetables.
The Food Allergy Center has transformed this initiative into the grocery delivery program, piloted with 10 families in January 2026. Each family works with a dietitian to select foods and recipes that are delivered monthly. The team hopes the program will empower families to prepare safe, healthy meals that take into account a child’s food allergies.
“Philanthropy has propelled these programs to fill a need that is often overlooked,” explains Jonathan Spergel, MD, PhD, chief of the Allergy Program. “We’re grateful to Gwen and David Keiser and the Tioga Foundation for establishing the Food Insecurity in Food Allergy Fund, and we look forward to doing even more to support families.”
For information on how to support the Food Allergy Center, contact Ann St. Claire at stclairea@chop.edu.
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Parents of children with food allergies know that diagnosis is only the first step. Families spend hours meeting with providers, planning meals and searching for allergen-free foods. The condition is especially challenging for families facing limited or uncertain access to food.
In partnership with families, dietitians, community organizations and generous supporters, the Food Allergy Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has developed a new screening tool, food pantry and grocery delivery program.
First, when families visit the Food Allergy Center, they are invited to use a screening tool to help identify those who might need assistance accessing allergen-free food. The CHOP team then connects families with community resources, arranges dietitian consultations and helps parents navigate federal programs. To date, 4,500 families have been screened.
“The response has been extraordinary,” says Alex Navard-Keck, MD, attending physician with the Division of Allergy and Immunology. “Seventy-five percent of patients use the tool, which has enabled us to connect more than 400 families with food resources and to refer an additional 150 families to dietitian services.”
To reduce the financial and emotional stress of managing a food allergy, the Food Allergy Center launched the Allergy Clinic Food Pantry in July 2025. Located in the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, the pantry has distributed 600 allergen-friendly food items, as well as gluten-free and dairy-free options.
“There can be a stigma around receiving free food, so it was crucial to create a nonjudgmental space that felt welcoming to all families, regardless of their situation,” says Food Pharmacy manager Abbe Stern, MHCI.
Now making deliveries, too
In response to federal assistance cuts in October 2025, the team piloted produce delivery. In the first week, they enrolled five families for deliveries of fresh fruit and vegetables.
The Food Allergy Center has transformed this initiative into the grocery delivery program, piloted with 10 families in January 2026. Each family works with a dietitian to select foods and recipes that are delivered monthly. The team hopes the program will empower families to prepare safe, healthy meals that take into account a child’s food allergies.
“Philanthropy has propelled these programs to fill a need that is often overlooked,” explains Jonathan Spergel, MD, PhD, chief of the Allergy Program. “We’re grateful to Gwen and David Keiser and the Tioga Foundation for establishing the Food Insecurity in Food Allergy Fund, and we look forward to doing even more to support families.”
For information on how to support the Food Allergy Center, contact Ann St. Claire at stclairea@chop.edu.
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