Teen food allergy advocate Devin Sailer named among America’s top young leaders

Devin August Sailer, the 18-year-old founder of Safe to Eat in Oneonta, has been selected by JCI USA as one of the 2026 Ten Outstanding Young Americans. The honor spotlights his work expanding access to allergen-safe food and education for shelters and families across rural New York.

Why it matters: - The recognition puts a national spotlight on food allergy safety for families in crisis. - Safe to Eat has focused on a basic need that can become life-threatening for people with severe allergies: access to safe food. - The honor may help amplify Sailer’s advocacy and the nonprofit’s reach with shelters, donors, and community partners.

What happened: - JCI USA selected Devin August Sailer as one of the 2026 Ten Outstanding Young Americans. - Sailer is the founder of Safe to Eat, a nonprofit based in Oneonta, New York. - The honor was announced on July 11, 2026. - The TOYA gala and induction ceremony is scheduled for September 12, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The details: - The TOYA program was established in 1938. - JCI USA recognizes ten people ages 18 to 40 for leadership, service, and community impact. - Sailer is 18 years old. - Safe to Eat provides allergen-safe food, education, training, and other resources to domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, and community organizations in rural New York. - Sailer lives with 31 life-threatening food allergies. - Safe to Eat has supplied shelters across New York with allergen-safe food and educational materials. - The organization has received repeated donations from Vermont Nut Free Chocolates. - Those donations have helped provide safe treats and resources to children and families served by the program. - Sailer has also been named a Daily Point of Light Honoree. - He received the Billy Michael Youth Leadership Award. - He was a Global Youth Awards finalist for food allergy awareness and food security work. - Through Safe to Eat, Sailer has worked with community organizations, legislators, shelters, and national advocacy partners.

Between the lines: - Sailer’s story turns a personal health challenge into a broader public-safety mission. - The award suggests food allergy access is being recognized not just as a niche health issue, but as part of youth leadership and community service. - Rural shelters often have fewer resources, which makes allergen-safe food and training more important for vulnerable families. - The nonprofit’s repeated support from private donors and community partners shows how local networks can sustain specialized food-access efforts.

What’s next: - Sailer will be formally honored at the September 12 gala in Virginia Beach. - Safe to Eat is likely to continue expanding its shelter partnerships and educational outreach in rural New York. - The recognition could open the door to additional funding and collaboration opportunities for the nonprofit.

The bottom line: - Devin Sailer’s national honor elevates a local nonprofit built around a simple goal: make sure families with food allergies can find safe food when they need it most.