When we launched Freeater, we always hoped the conversation around food allergies and dietary needs would become louder, more visible, and more understood.
This week, that conversation reached regional level.
Freeater was recently featured on BBC News East Midlands Today, sharing the story behind why we built the platform and the real experiences that inspired it alongside her dad.
For founder Kate Alderson, the moment was especially personal.
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The idea for Freeater came from a family meal that should have been simple.
Before a graduation celebration, Kate’s dad, who is gluten intolerant and vegetarian, had to call 15 different restaurants before finding just one he felt confident eating at.
It was frustrating, exhausting, and something the family had quietly experienced for years alongside other dietary needs within the family.
That experience sparked a much bigger question:
Why is finding somewhere safe to eat still so difficult?
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Since 2024, Freeater has been built with one mission:
To help people eat with confidence.
Over the past two years, the platform has grown through:
Today, Freeater helps users:
Because eating out should feel social, not stressful.
The BBC coverage was more than just media attention.
It highlighted a reality millions of people experience every day:
For many viewers, the story felt familiar.
And that’s exactly why Freeater exists.
The response since the feature has been incredibly positive, with many people sharing that they finally feel seen, understood, and part of a community that relates to their experiences.
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One of the most meaningful parts of the filming process was having Kate’s dad involved in the feature itself.
The same experiences that inspired the platform years ago became part of the story shared on regional level.
What started as a difficult family experience has now grown into a wider movement focused on helping people with food allergies and dietary needs feel more confident wherever they are and whoever they’re with.
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Following the official launch of Freeater on iOS and Android, the team is continuing to grow the platform, onboard eateries, and expand the community.
Freeater will also have a stand at the Allergy & Free From Show, where visitors can meet the team, try the app, and hear more about the mission behind the platform.
This is only the beginning.
Together, we eat with confidence.
