Innate Health Foundation Announces New Wiki for Food Allergy Resources
Seattle, WA (PRWEB) February 21, 2008 -- The Innate Health Foundation is proud to announce the launch of a wiki-style website to serve the food allergy/intolerance community: The IHFWiki (http://www.innatehealthfoundation.org/wiki/). The IHFWiki has information for the food allergy/intolerance community about restaurants, food products, food producers, recipes and more. This is the first Internet service specifically designed to provide people with food allergies/intolerances a central location for information about food products and restaurants and to give food producers and restaurants a free, neutral opportunity to communicate with the food allergy/intolerance community. "The IHFWiki is a godsend -- it makes it so easy to find someplace to eat or find the foods I need" reported one user.
Initially focused on the greater Seattle area, home of the Innate Health Foundation, users are increasingly using the IHFWiki to share information about resources in other communities across the US and Canada. Anyone, anywhere, including restaurant owners and food producers, with information about resources for the food allergy/intolerance community is encouraged to share it on the IHFWiki.
Wiki-style websites (like Wikipedia) have emerged as powerful non-profit information tools. A simple interface allows anyone to add content, correct mistakes, and improve information, all in real time. The IHFWiki is an excellent example of a website that allows a community to collect and distribute information between and among members. It is found at http://www.InnateHealthFoundation.org/wiki/ (http://www.InnateHealthFoundation.org/wiki/).
People with food allergies often have difficulty identifying restaurants or food products that meet their needs. Restaurants and food products companies are increasingly choosing to provide options and information for the food allergy/intolerance community. Doing so not only helps avoid health problems, lawsuits, and other costs, but can increase sales and profits, often at minimal expense. The IHFWiki website provides a means for producers and consumers to collaborate and share information to make finding and providing appropriate resources and accommodations easier and more profitable. "Your site is a great resource for the community" stated the owner of Sunny Valley Wheat Free -- a gluten-free bakery and restaurant in Maple Valley, WA.
Restaurants and food producers interested in the adding information about how their companies serve the needs of customers with food allergies or intolerances are encouraged to participate. To create a page about your organization, simply register and follow the instructions for creating new pages. Users familiar with Wikipedia (not affiliated with IHFWiki) will find many functions in common. Anyone is welcome to register and provide information, reviews, etc. that are beneficial to the food allergy/intolerance community.
About the Innate Health Foundation:
The Innate Health Foundation (http://www.InnateHealthFoundation.org/) is a public charity 501(c)(3) organization, managed by an independent board of directors, funded by donations, and operated in the public interest. It is a member of the Innate Health Group (http://innatehealthfoundation.org/InnateHealthGroup.htm). The mission of the Innate Health Foundation is to: Support irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and food allergy research; Provide grants to assist patients who need financial assistance to get proper care for IBS and food allergy related disorders; and Provide information about IBS, food allergies, and the business of health care. The Innate Health Foundation serves as an umbrella of support for all people with food allergies/intolerances including those represented by charities that support gluten allergies (celiac disease and other forms), life threatening allergies that cause anaphylaxis, and all others not represented by those charities.
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