Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association of Minnesota (AFAA)

Description

AFAA's motto is: Taking the Fear out of Food Allergies. Severe food allergy reactions annually result in about 50,000 emergency room visits and the death of 150-200 people in the U.S. About 8% of children are affected by food allergies, and 1-2% of adults. Approximately 15 million Americans have food allergies. Nearly 55,000 Minnesota school children have food allergies -- nearly double in ten years' time.

AFAA membership includes families, doctors, nurses, dieticians, teachers, and food personnel. With over 4,000 associate members, AFAA is the largest state-based food allergy support organization in the U.S.. AFAA encourages and mentors the development of support groups in local communities (Duluth, Brainerd, St. Cloud, Howard Lake, Waconia, Rochester, St. Paul) who meet AFAA's medical criteria. AFAA is a volunteer-run organization: it has no paid staff members or paid board members.