WE’RE ALWAYS DREAMING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THOSE LIVING WITH FOOD ALLERGIES.
ABOUT CHARLIE'S SAFE TREAT BOX
Sharon Gilbert became an “allergy” mum when her son Charlie was diagnosed with multiple life threatening food allergies.
Charlie’s Safe Treat Box was created in 2019, after an anaphylactic reaction to a treat that Charlie consumed at daycare landed him in hospital.
Whilst in hospital, it was quickly discovered that hospitals were not well equipped to cater for patients with food allergies, particularly those with multiple food allergies.
The food on offer was ridden with the allergens that Charlie was allergic to and the food court provided no safe options.
The idea was born by a need - the need for Sharon to protect her child from his life threatening allergic reactions by creating a safe space to access food that is free from the top 10 allergens.
This idea became her mission.
CHARLIE’S SAFE TREAT BOX IS CREATED WITH LOVE FOR THOSE OF US IN THE ALLERGY COMMUNITY, BY A PARENT THAT UNDERSTANDS THE CHALLENGES, RISKS AND EXHAUSTION OF LIVING IN FEAR OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS.
Our mission is to create a safe, trusted space for people living in Australia with life-threatening food allergies to source treats with freedom and ease, through simple and convenient methods such as gift boxes, subscription boxes and vending machines. Each option contains treats that are free of the top 10 food allergens that have been sourced from manufacturers both locally and globally and passed a strict checklist to ensure they are safe and delicious. Our gift boxes and subscription boxes will be available for delivery Australia wide.
It was born to help those of all ages within the allergy free community to feel included, worry-free, and less burdened to source their own safe snacks all the time, it’s to help our children feel socially included and free when making food choices, especially when they’re away from us, their parents.
Together, as a community, we can make our country safer and more inclusive for individuals and families affected by food allergies.
HOW DID THE NAME COME ABOUT?
To this day, there sits a Tupperware container at Charlie's home labelled “Charlie’s Treats”. In it, are a range of allergen-free treats that have been sourced by Sharon from around the country and the globe; they have been tripled checked for Charlie to be able to eat safely and freely. Whenever he comes home from school, he runs to the container with excitement to eat his treat and also picks treats from this box to take to birthday parties and social events.
"I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS FABULOUS IDEA OF AN “ALLERGY-FRIENDLY VENDING MACHINE” TO PROVIDE SAFE ALLERGY FOODS FOR ALL THOSE SUFFERING FROM ALLERGIES OR INTOLERANCES."
Living life with allergies can cause social anxiety and stress for children and their families when it comes down to food. We often can't do the simplest things like buy food or snacks over the counter because of unknown ingredients or chances of cross contamination. I feel very confident & comfortable knowing the products in Charlie's Safe Treat Box will be reviewed and screened by someone who understands allergy labelling and factors.
Ann Cao
Allergy mum to son with allergies to dairy, egg, wheat, sesame, cashew, pistachio, shellfish, kiwi fruit