I write this having spent more than half of my life navigating the challenges that come from being diagnosed with celiac disease at the age of 13. Dealing with celiac is a daily struggle and, unfortunately, it often feels as if this disease is not taken as seriously as it should be.

One area where the lack of awareness about the disease is palpably painful is in our food options, especially in popular food chains. Starbucks is one of the mostly widely recognized food chains in the United States, and yet, the limited availability of gluten-free food options is disheartening.

According to research from Beyond Celiac, about 1 in 100 worldwide are affected by celiac disease – this equates to nearly 3 million Americans, not counting those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, who would also benefit from more gluten-free options.

This request for Starbucks to expand their menu options is more than a personal plea. It hints at a much larger issue of food inclusivity and the need for large food chains like Starbucks to cater to the needs of people with dietary restrictions.

An expanded range of gluten-free food options at Starbucks would significantly improve the day-to-day lives of millions of Americans who routinely struggle to find safe food options. The task might not be the easiest, but the outcome would be immeasurably worth it.

To those who can relate to this struggle and to those who may not fully understand it, we ask for your empathetic support. Please sign this petition and join us in urging Starbucks to be more inclusive for everyone by introducing more gluten-free food options.