Last week, Urban AIP packed up breakfast and headed to Washington, D.C.
We had the incredible honor of catering breakfast for the Autoimmune Association's Hope Journey Walk, an annual event that brings together people living with autoimmune disease, their families, advocates, healthcare professionals, and supporters, while raising funds and awareness for the Association's year-round work.
For me, this wasn't just another catering event.
As someone living with autoimmune disease myself, getting to feed people before they headed out to walk for a cause that is so personal to so many of us felt incredibly special.
And we didn't do it alone.
Breakfast, the Urban AIP Way
When we were invited to cater breakfast for the walk, I wanted to bring a little taste of Urban AIP to D.C., and create a spread that showed just how delicious AIP can be.
And we had some help from a few of our favorite AIP brands.
With EAT G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R., we made our I Heart You Mini Banana Breads, along with our new Trailblazer Bars, a collaboration that actually has its roots in last year's Hope Journey Walk and is now officially joining the Urban AIP lineup.
Get Saucy Kitchen provided their signature Salsa Verde, which we paired with our Mini Pasture-Raised Chicken Burritos for a bright, flavorful kick.
We wrapped those burritos in Coyotas' cassava flour tortillas, a staple in the Urban AIP kitchen and the same tortillas you'll find in our full-size burritos.
And, of course, we couldn't go all the way to D.C. without bringing one of our own customer favorites: our Mini Chicken Apple Breakfast Buns, made with pasture-raised chicken and our signature parsnip-based dough.
Our Urban AIP team in Los Angeles prepared everything, packed it up, and brought it across the country to feed walkers before they set out that morning.
Seeing that breakfast spread in Washington, D.C., filled with foods and collaborations that have become such a part of Urban AIP, was a pretty special moment.
Another Company Showed Up, Too
We also had a contribution from Everybody Eat, an allergen-friendly snack company founded by Trish Thomas and Nichole Wilson.
This one has a fun Urban AIP connection: Trish is also an Urban AIP subscriber.
Everybody Eat isn't an AIP company, so their products weren't part of the AIP breakfast we prepared. But their mission of creating snacks that accommodate many common food allergies made them a wonderful addition to an event serving a community with so many different dietary needs.
I loved introducing another small, founder-led food company doing its part to make the food world a little more inclusive.
Why We Were Walking
As much as I love talking about food, the most important part of the day was the reason we were all there.
The Autoimmune Association works year-round to advocate for people living with autoimmune disease, support research, provide education and resources, and bring greater attention to a category of diseases that collectively affects millions of Americans.
The Hope Journey Walk helps make that work visible.
You see patients. You see families. You see friends walking beside someone they love. You meet advocates and organizations working to move autoimmune care forward.
And suddenly, the enormous numbers we talk about when we discuss autoimmune disease have faces.
From Our Kitchen to D.C.
It was pretty surreal to see food made in our Urban AIP kitchen in Los Angeles served that morning in Washington, D.C.
Urban AIP started because I knew firsthand how much work it takes to feed yourself when you're navigating autoimmune disease. Years later, being able to cater breakfast for an event dedicated to supporting and advocating for this same population felt like a very full-circle moment.
I'm grateful to the Autoimmune Association for inviting us to be part of it, to Get Saucy Kitchen, EAT G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R., Coyotas and Everybody Eat for generously contributing, and to our Urban AIP team for making it happen.
And to everyone who walked, donated, volunteered or showed up:
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to feed you before you took those steps for all of us.
Until next time. ❤️
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hope Journey Walk?
The Hope Journey Walk is an Autoimmune Association event that brings together people living with autoimmune disease, their families, advocates, and supporters to raise awareness and support the Association’s work.
What did Urban AIP serve at the walk?
Our team served an AIP breakfast featuring mini banana breads, Trailblazer Bars, mini chicken burritos with Salsa Verde, and Mini Chicken Apple Breakfast Buns. Partner brands contributed ingredients, and Everybody Eat provided additional allergen-friendly snacks that were separate from the AIP breakfast.