Miss America’s Teen to Serve as FAACT National Spokesperson

Miss America’s Teen 2026 Tess Ferm has joined The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT) as a national spokesperson, stepping into a powerful new advocacy role focused on education, awareness, and lifesaving outreach. In this capacity, Tess will work alongside FAACT’s leadership team and Medical Advisory Board to expand national awareness of food allergies and strengthen community education efforts across the country.

 

Food allergies impact as many as 32 million Americans, including nearly 6 million children. That equates to approximately two students in every classroom nationwide. With no cure currently available, strict allergen avoidance remains the only guaranteed way to prevent anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. While FDA-approved treatments exist and additional desensitization therapies are under study, widespread education remains critical.

 

Awareness saves lives.

 

As FAACT’s newest national spokesperson, Tess is uniquely positioned to amplify that message and extend the reach of FAACT’s programs, resources, and community initiatives.

 

For Tess, this work is deeply personal. She lives with a tree nut allergy and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a chronic allergic inflammatory disease. Her older brother also manages food allergies and EoE, while her younger brother has severe asthma. Growing up in a household shaped by these medical realities instilled in Tess a strong commitment to advocacy, education, and fostering safer environments for individuals navigating food allergies and related conditions.

 

“We are incredibly proud of Tess Ferm for transforming her personal experience with food allergies into meaningful national advocacy. Her leadership with FAACT reflects the mission of the Miss America Opportunity — empowering young women to lead with purpose and use their experiences to make a difference,” says Robin Fleming, CEO, Miss America Organization.

 

“We are honored and grateful to have Tess join the FAACT family and advocate for all individuals with life-threatening food allergies and anaphylaxis,” says FAACT President and CEO Eleanor Garrow-Holding. “Tess will be instrumental in educating children, adolescents, and adults about food allergies—including FAACT’s Camp TAG program this summer in Ohio and Tennessee, which Tess is excited to attend. We are thrilled to have Tess contribute to our programs and to work with her for many years to come!”

 

As Miss America’s Teen, Tess is transforming her lived experience into national advocacy. In addition to her work with FAACT, she will speak this month in Washington, D.C., at the HHS National Conference on Women’s Health, continuing to elevate the conversation around food allergies on some of the country’s most important platforms.