Snap & Snack wins Rep. Jahana Hayes’ 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Connecticut’s Fifth District

When asked what inspired the creation of Snap & Snack, Nicolas Campisi said, “For 32 million Americans living with food allergies, eating anything but the food that they’ve seen being made in front of them could pose a severe or even life-threatening risk. A single, simple mistake like a forgotten ingredient label, a shared utensil, or a trace amount of an allergen could lead to a severe and sometimes life-threatening reaction. Imagine having to double-check every meal, every snack, every bite, every day. A child’s birthday party or a dinner out with friends can turn routine and ordinary moments into sources of anxiety and risk. Despite increased awareness and protections under reforms like the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, food allergies still remain one of the most misunderstood health conditions in America.

“I am allergic to both dairy and eggs, which are two ingredients that appear not only in obvious foods like ice cream, but also in unexpected places such as hand soaps containing milk proteins. Knowing that my allergens could appear almost anywhere at any time has always been a major source of anxiety. Not only did I learn to reread ingredient labels several times, but I developed an obsession with it, almost like my life depended on it—which it did. However, this stress was very unhealthy for me and impeded many social situations growing up. Therefore, I don’t think anyone should have to live with a fear that their next meal could be their last due to a simple oversight.

“Luckily, in the past decade or so, everyday technology has put a supercomputer in nearly everyone’s pocket. We use our smartphones to navigate, to communicate, and increasingly, to ‘see’ and interpret the world around us, and many apps have implemented camera technologies to analyze and help users better understand the world around them. I have always had a strong passion for math and technology, but it wasn’t until I started taking computer science classes in high school that I realized how powerful the subject was. Just in the Congressional App Challenge alone, students across the US have uplifted and advanced their communities by using their powerful skills in programming and coding. The opportunity to use the power of computer science and apply my knowledge to a project that could alleviate the struggles in the food allergy community by helping them analyze the food they consume deeply inspired me to make this app.”