Hello, AllergyBites Community!

It is with a mix of sadness and excitement that I share some news with you: I will be discontinuing the AllergyBites discount card program at the end of 2018. (NOTE: The discount card will remain active until December 31st, 2018, so please don’t throw away your cards just yet!)

Here’s why:  

As you may recall, I conducted a survey this summer to gain a better understanding of what sort of value the discount card program provides you and your family. I learned a lot from your responses, did a bit of soul searching afterwards, and realized this:

Ultimately, my goal with AllergyBites has always been to help people in the food allergy community. And while I believe the discount card program has the potential to do just that, I would have needed an entire team in order for the program reach its full potential. And I’ve been running a one (wo)man show. 😉

In case you couldn’t tell, I’m a pretty passionate person — and that’s why I need to constantly remind myself that AllergyBites is my “passion project,” meaning I still need a little bit of time to focus on my family and my actual work. (Did you know I’m a freelance copywriter/editor by trade?)

So what does this mean for AllergyBites?

Moving forward, I will be focusing on what I feel is core to what AllergyBites is: community, helping others, and spreading food allergy awareness & empathy.

As I wrap up the discount card program, here’s what I’ll be doing instead:

1. Seeking out and reviewing allergy-friendly restaurants in Toronto and beyond

2. Organizing #AllergyMom Meetups in Toronto and possibly across Canada (Did you hear we’re holding the first Ottawa meetup at the end of this month?)

… and, drum roll, please …

3. Helping raise awareness & funds for allergy research through a new initiative called the Top 10 Challenge (a fundraiser I’m launching in collaboration with Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation).

To celebrate the launch, we’re hosting “the most inclusive Halloween event ever” — a NON-food Trunk or Treat — on Sunday, October 28th. We’ve decided to make the event food-free so that all children, no matter what their allergies happen to be, are included and safe. Learn more and register!

One door closes, another door opens… right?

Warmly,

Kathleen O’Hagan
Founder & Food Allergy Mama

P.S. Are you an allergy-friendly brand? We are now actively seeking out sponsorship for the Top 10 Challenge campaign. Reach out if you’d like to learn about how you can get involved.