Joe’s KC Becomes First Restaurant Approved Under Brittany and Patrick Mahomes' Food Allergy Initiative

According to reporting by KCTV5, Joe’s KC has become the first Kansas City area restaurant to receive recognition under the 15 and FARE program, an initiative created by Brittany and Patrick Mahomes' 15 and the Mahomies Foundation in partnership with the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization.

Background on the Initiative

The 15 and FARE program stems from the Mahomes family's personal experience with severe peanut allergies. In 2023, Brittany Mahomes helped raise over $200,000 for FARE through a fundraising match campaign on GivingTuesday. The partnership formalised into the 15 and FARE initiative to support food allergy safety and education in the Kansas City area.

Program Requirements for Restaurants

To achieve recognition, participating restaurants must meet specific operational standards:

• Train 90 percent or more of their food service staff.
• Conduct monthly on-site audits for three consecutive months.
• Establish or maintain a written food allergy management policy.
• Demonstrate clear allergen transparency on menus.

The free program provides training and resources to help businesses implement these safety procedures.

Changes at Joe’s KC

Following the training, Joe’s KC implemented strict kitchen procedures to reduce the risk of accidental exposure. Front of house manager Lane Dougherty told KCTV5 that staff now change gloves and cutting boards when processing allergen-specific requests and utilize separate fryers for different dietary requirements. The restaurant's allergen list has also expanded to two pages, identifying allergens such as wheat, dairy, peanuts, and soy in items like their barbecue beans.

Verification and Broader Impact

Kansas City serves as the seventh FARE Neighborhood, with the initiative also extending training to community food banks, pantries, and schools. Customers looking to verify participating businesses can check for the "15 and FARE Restaurant Partner" sign on location. Further details and original announcements can be reviewed directly through FARE's official resources and local news reports.