Greg and Dan Discuss Food Allergy Awareness with Lindsay Spangler of Red Sneakers for Oakley

Greg and Dan speak with Lindsay Spangler, local advocate and representative of Red Sneakers for Oakley, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about food allergies and promoting education and preparedness in allergy-related emergencies. Red Sneakers has grown into a national movement emphasizing the importance of epinephrine accessibility and food allergy education.

Lindsay highlights the staggering rise in food allergies, noting a 50% increase in recent years. Currently, 1 in 13 children in the U.S. has a food allergy. This growing concern reinforces the organization’s message: “Time Matters”—in the event of an allergic reaction, timely administration of epinephrine can be lifesaving.

In an exciting local development, the Peoria Chiefs have partnered with Red Sneakers for Oakley to become more inclusive for families managing food allergies. The ballpark will now stock epinephrine onsite and provide a designated allergy-free ticket section, offering a safe and inclusive space for fans with severe allergies. While not definitively the first in the country, the Peoria Chiefs are among the first minor league baseball teams to implement such allergy-conscious measures.

The conversation also raised an important question: How can we make America's favorite pastime more inclusive when it’s so heavily tied to peanuts and other common allergens? Through partnerships like this, Red Sneakers for Oakley hopes to shift the culture of public events to be safer and more welcoming to everyone.

For more information or to support the mission, visit: redsneakers.org/Peoria

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