Following the recent launch of Freeater, founder Kate Alderson joined Becky Measures on BBC Radio Derby to discuss food allergies, intolerances, and the challenges millions of people still face when eating out.
During the conversation, Kate shared the personal family experiences that inspired Freeater, including the moment her dad had to call 15 different restaurants just to find one suitable place for a family meal. The interview explored how stressful and isolating eating out can still feel for people managing dietary needs, and why more awareness and clearer information are urgently needed.
Kate and Becky also discussed the confusion that often surrounds food allergies and intolerances. One example highlighted during the interview was that many people do not realise peanuts are not actually tree nuts. Peanuts are legumes, while tree nuts include foods such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews, an important distinction that demonstrates why better public understanding matters.
Freeater was created to help people eat with confidence by combining personalised dietary profiles, community insight, and eatery information in one place. The platform also includes features designed to help groups find places where everyone can eat together more easily.
The BBC Radio Derby feature follows recent coverage on BBC East Midlands Today and comes shortly after Freeater’s launch across iOS and Android.
Reflecting on the interview, Kate said:
“I strongly believe there is still a huge amount of confusion around food allergies and dietary needs. If conversations like this help even one more person feel understood or more confident eating out, then it’s worth it.”
As Freeater continues to grow, the mission remains clear: helping more people feel included, informed, and able to eat with confidence.
“Together, we eat with confidence.” 💚
