Food Allergy Nonprofit FARE Partners with Hampton Roads-Area Healthcare Leaders to Address Health Disparities Related to Food Allergy

McLEAN, Va. — April 30, 2025 — FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), together with healthcare leaders, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences M. Foscue Brock Institute for Community & Global Health at Old Dominion University (ODU); Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD); and Children's Specialty Group (CSG), today announced Hampton Roads, Virginia, as a FARE Neighborhood to address health disparities related to food allergy in this community. Hampton Roads is one of seven FARE Neighborhoods introduced since the program began in 2021.

Nationally, food allergy affects more than 33 million people, a figure that includes approximately 878,090 individuals in Virginia, or about one in 10 adults. With an estimated 300,000 military personnel and their families in the Hampton Roads area, roughly 30,000 individuals are likely impacted. High social vulnerability and unique access challenges faced by military members and their families made Hampton Roads a clear choice for the FARE Neighborhoods Initiative (FNI) which aims to bring food allergy resources to the community it serves. 

“Military life can add a layer of difficulty to food allergy management, which already carries its own set of challenges for patients and caregivers,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of FARE. “Frequent moves and financial concerns can mean needed care is difficult to access. Public health initiatives like FARE Neighborhoods can help make certain that diagnosis, education and treatment are more available, leading to better management of food allergy and fewer medical emergencies. We are proud to introduce Hampton Roads as a FARE Neighborhood with partner organizations, ODU, CHKD, and CSG.”

“As a physician who has dedicated my career to addressing food allergies, it is truly inspiring to see FARE, CHKD, The Brock Institute, ODU/EVMS, and CSG come together with a shared commitment to improving the lives of children and families in Hampton Roads. This partnership represents the power of collaboration—especially when we focus our efforts on underserved communities where healthcare disparities are greatest. Together, we are building a healthier, more equitable future for every child with food allergies,” said Angela Hogan, MD, Professor of Pediatrics ODU, CSG, Allergy/Immunology at CHKD. 

ODU has earned national recognition for community impact and Research 1 status from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education respectively. Coupled with its mission to contribute to the well-being of local communities, ODU is well positioned to understand and address community needs. "This milestone collaboration with FARE, ODU, CHKD, and CSG reflects a shared commitment to partner with families, schools, healthcare organizations, and community-based organizations to manage food allergies and improve health outcomes across the region," said Cynthia Romero, MD, Director of the Brock Institute for Community and Global Health in the Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU.

The collaboration, which began a year ago, has already placed a local community health worker dedicated to food allergy in the region who has educated nearly 1,000 Hampton Roads residents across 18 events, with expanded food service training for restaurants, colleges, and food pantries on the horizon for this year through the FARECheck Program.  

On April 30, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences M. Foscue Brock Institute for Community & Global Health at Old Dominion University will host an event and ribbon cutting to announce the program. The event will include speakers from each organization and other community-focused educational opportunities.  

For more information about the FARE Neighborhoods Initiative and how you can help, please visit us at www.foodallergy.org. The FARE Neighborhoods Initiative is supported by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.