Visit Mesa Launches Partnership with Kyah Rayne Foundation, Bringing Food Inclusion to Mesa Businesses

New certification program prepares hospitality staff to offer safer, more inclusive dining experiences.

MESA, Ariz., Sept. 16, 2025 -- As part of Visit Mesa's ongoing mission to help the city become one of the nation's most accessible travel destinations, Visit Mesa has partnered with the Kyah Rayne Foundation, an organization dedicated to training businesses on how to safely accommodate guests with food allergies.

Businesses that complete the training will be deemed Food Allergy Certified when at least 80% of eligible staff—employees with direct guest contact and food-handling responsibilities, including servers, kitchen staff, concierge and event personnel—successfully finish the foundation's core online training program.

"Partnering with the Kyah Rayne Foundation not only allows Visit Mesa to continue delivering on our vision of becoming the nation's most accessible city but also serves a greater purpose to educate hospitality staff on the critical importance of food safety and inclusion," said Alison Brooks, vice president of marketing and destination experience at Visit Mesa. "It's important for both visitors and residents to feel confident that Mesa businesses are equipped to safely accommodate guests with food allergies and dietary sensitivities."

Lisa Cohen launched the Kyah Rayne Foundation in August 2019 after her daughter, Kyah, died from anaphylactic shock after unknowingly ingesting a peanut sauce during a family vacation. Since then, the foundation has focused on advancing food allergy awareness, education and access to epinephrine to help save lives.

"The Kyah Rayne Foundation is proud to partner with Visit Mesa to expand food allergy training and certification for restaurants, helping to create safer, more inclusive dining experiences for all," said Lisa Cohen, founder of the Kyah Rayne Foundation. "Together, we are working to prevent life-threatening allergic reactions and helping Mesa be a compassionate, welcoming destination for every visitor." 

According to the Kyah Rayne Foundation, more than 33 million Americans live with food allergies, and every 10 seconds a severe reaction sends someone to the emergency room. To help address this critical need, staff training is essential. In Mesa, two hotels, the Hyatt Place Phoenix/Mesa and the DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix Mesa, as well as one restaurant, Intentional Foods, have already earned certification. Their participation marks the beginning of a broader effort, with more businesses expected to join in the months ahead.

As part of its mission to be a welcoming and accessible destination for all, Visit Mesa supports a number of inclusive programs. These include Aira, a guided visual interpretation service; the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program; Visit Mesa's partnership with Wheel the World; and ongoing efforts surrounding Mesa's designation as the world's first Autism-Certified City. These initiatives advance the work of the Mesa For All Foundation, which Visit Mesa helped establish to enhance and implement accessibility and inclusion for youth and adults within the community.

For more information on Visit Mesa's new food inclusion initiative, check out visitmesa.com and kyahraynefoundation.org.

About Visit Mesa
Visit Mesa is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) responsible for positioning and promoting Mesa, Arizona, as a top destination for leisure and business travel. Learn more about Visit Mesa and its mission to promote the value and vitality of Mesa's visitor economy to create a better community at visitmesa.com.

About the Kyah Rayne Foundation
The Kyah Rayne Foundation, founded in 2019 by Lisa Jan Cohen, is dedicated to advancing food allergy awareness, education and access to life-saving resources. Inspired by the memory of Lisa's daughter, the foundation works to prevent allergic reactions through training, advocacy and expanded epinephrine availability. Its mission is to create safer, more inclusive environments for individuals with food allergies at home, in schools and while traveling.

CONTACTS:
Zoey Shircel, Communications Manager, Visit Mesa
Direct: 480-682-3654, E-mail: [email protected] 

Alicia Boe, Communications Director, Visit Mesa
Direct: 480-825-7695, E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE VISIT MESA