Yesterday, I walked into my Blaze Pizza in Boston, MA thinking it would just be another pizza-happy dinner. But to my dismay, I walked in and found out that I would potentially be having my last Blaze pizza (and arguably my last "real" pizza) ever. I learned that starting 7/12, they would no longer offer their regular gluten-free crust that is also dairy and egg free, instead replacing it with their new cauliflower-based gluten-free crust.

I am allergic to wheat, dairy, eggs, peanuts, treenuts, garlic, oats, peas, and greenbeans. I never had what I considered real pizza until Sophomore year of college, when another allergy-buddy of mine suggested I check out our local Blaze Pizza. To my absolute joy, I found a new option where I could get pizza made with all sorts of toppings, made with safe practices, and made quickly and at a reasonable price (even for a broke college student).

So as I ate each bite of my last gluten-free, egg-free, dairy-free pizza with vegan cheese and applewood bacon, I was pretty upset. And I knew that a number of other individuals at all ages, young kids all the way to adults, would also be remarkably disappointed to find such an incredible food option has snatched away yet again. We've all experienced it before--our favorite gluten-free cereal suddenly switches to being processed in a facility with wheat, or our favorite gluten-free brownie mix contains milk powder for some reason. Allergens always seem to ruin the few options that we have access to.

It's hard to care about something when it doesn't affect you, but hear me out. Having food options that allow those with allergies to order at restaurants lets us feel just a little more normal, and it really makes these spaces much more inclusive. 

Yes, allergies are a disability, and in some ways this is an instance of ableism that alienates those who are already limited to such a small number of food options on a daily basis. It may not have been intentional on the part of Blaze--I agree that the cauliflower-based crust is a great gluten-free and keto option. But why take away the one option that also sets this chain apart by having an allergy-accessible option?

Please sign this petition if you have multiple food allergies, know someone with multiple food allergies, or generally care about creating inclusive environments and options for those with real dietary, life-threatening restrictions. Let's bring back gluten-free crust at Blaze Pizza that will allow those with multiple food allergies to eat there again. Thank you!