Initiative to ‘end hunger pain’ rolls into Fairfield County
STAMFORD — Food insecurity is a big problem across the nation, especially during the continuing COVID-19 crisis. But imagine how hard it is to rely on donated food when many things that you eat cause stomach issues?
To help local residents who are dealing with hunger along with food intolerances, Food Rescue US Fairfield County and Boston-based dietitian and author Kate Scarlata stepped in with a solution.
Scarlata arrived in Stamford on Tuesday with an AirStream trailer full of gluten-free, low-lactose and low-FODMAP food and made a food donation to Food Rescue US Fairfield County. (FODMAP foods contain short-chain carbohydrates that cause digestive distress for some people.)
“For people living with food insecurity and food intolerance, access to suitable foods to treat their medical conditions can be an extra challenge,” said Scarlata. “Many food pantries stock foods, that can exacerbate abdominal pain for people living with celiac disease or IBS, such as wheat-based bread and pasta, canned legumes and soups . ... Gluten-free foods cost about twice that of their wheat-filled alternatives.”
For her #EndHungerPain initiative, Scarlata is taking her AirStream trailer filled with food to Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and North Carolina.
“We are fortunate to have many wonderful food donors, but we don’t always get to request or receive specific foods that can help alleviate stomach issues for those with food sensitivities,” said Danielle Blaine, site director for Food Rescue US Fairfield County. “The food that Kate is donating will help so many in our community.”
In Fairfield County, Food Rescue US has provided more than 2 million meals since the start of the COVID pandemic. To learn more about Food Rescue US, visit foodrescue.us.
To learn more about Kate Scarlata and her mission to fight hunger with food that everyone can eat, visit katescarlata.com.