In Connecticut, food insecurity is estimated to affect between 10.4% and 17% of the population, which equates to at least 362,500 individuals who may lack sufficient access to safe and nutritious food.
Studies have shown that food insecurity disproportionately affects Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and refugee families. Within these communities, certain groups, such as individuals with food allergies, face even more complex challenges. Not only may they struggle to secure enough food, but they must also ensure that the available food is safe for them to eat.
Food allergies refer to an overreaction of the immune system to specific foods. Reactions can range from milder symptoms, such as hives, cough, nausea, to severe, life-threatening reactions called anaphylaxis. Avoidance of known food allergens is paramount to prevent allergic reactions.
An estimated 32 million Americans live with food allergies; for them, food selection is not simply a dietary preference, but a critical matter of safety and survival. For low-income individuals or those experiencing food insecurity, managing food allergies adds another layer of difficulty. Allergen-free foods are often significantly more expensive—sometimes costing between two and four times what non-allergen-free foods cost—and place a significant burden on families who are already struggling to put food on the table.
In early 2024, the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity released its annual Food Security Report. The report incorporated public data, academic research, input from food organizations, individual experiences, and community feedback. It highlighted the added challenges faced by families managing food allergies due to limited availability and the high cost of allergen-free foods.
The report also reinforced the connection between food insecurity and poor overall health outcomes. These outcomes are even more concerning for individuals with food allergies, as research has shown that individuals from low-income families have twice the risk of emergency department visits due to food allergies in comparison to their higher-income peers.
The report also identified several public and private initiatives that have helped address food insecurity, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), The Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, school meal programs, food banks and food pantries. It also offered recommendations to address further food insecurity in Connecticut, including adjusting SNAP benefits, promoting universal free school meals, and supporting locally grown produce.
However, many of these programs are now at risk due to budget cuts at both the state and federal levels. Reductions in funding to SNAP, WIC, and school meal programs threaten to reverse progress and will disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including those managing food allergies. These cuts not only reduce assistance but also limit access to safe, allergen-free food options. As resources shrink, the burden on local food banks and community organizations increases, while the most vulnerable are left with fewer safe and affordable food choices.
For individuals with food allergies, access to safe food is as critical as access to sufficient food. At an individual level, we all have a role to play in fostering a more equitable food system. We can help by raising awareness within our communities, supporting organizations focused on equitable food access, and advocating for allergy-safe options in food pantries, school meal programs, and public food initiatives.
Just as importantly, we must be creative in how we contribute, whether we actively lead initiatives, educate others, or start conversations. Small, thoughtful actions can lead to meaningful change.
Idalis Cardona Ortiz lives in Branford.
Featured Photo Credit: CT CWCSEO
Publisher’s Notes: Opinion: The unequal burden of food insecurity and allergies was first published on CT Mirror and republished with permission.