It’s that time of year again — Food Allergy Awareness Week runs from May 10 – 16 here (and is currently running in Canada). This year marks the twelfth annual observance, aimed at increasing awareness of allergies among all segments of the general public.

There are all kinds of ways you can teach people about allergies, from the potentially scary to the less intimidating. Among the simpler — but not necessarily less effective — ways you can get involved are writing your state representative about food allergy issues (especially if you live in a state that hasn’t yet officially proclaimed Food Allergy Awareness Week, write a letter to your local paper about allergies in schools or about food labeling, or post on your blog or on Facebook. (Food Allergy Awareness Week has a new Facebook group this year for sharing ideas and photos.)

Several bloggers have had inspired ideas, and one effective yet low-pressure idea for teaching friends about food allergies or other chronic conditions is to invite them to spend a day (or a week) in your shoes. Explain what’s necessary to manage your allergies and have your readers share their experiences eating an allergen-free diet.

If you’ve got a great idea for this week, or if you’ve had any interesting experiences surrounding Food Allergy Awareness Week, feel free to share them in the comments!