Tick allergy reshapes Marthas Vineyard dining

Rising alpha-gal allergy from lone star ticks on Marthas Vineyard prompts a shift toward plant-based foods across farms, markets, and restaurants.

Tick allergy reshapes Marthas Vineyard dining

On Marthas Vineyard this summer, the story is not just the Jaws festival but a medical one. The lone star tick bite has spurred alpha-gal syndrome that makes many residents avoid red meat and sometimes dairy. Testing data show a rapid rise: 523 of 1,254 alpha-gal tests positive last year, up from two positives out of nine in 2020. Some islanders skip hikes, gardening, and even beach days to reduce bite risk, and a few have moved off the island. A local man fainted after inhaling barbecue smoke, underscoring how social moments can trigger reactions.

Businesses are responding. Restaurants list alpha-gal safe items; a market shelves alpha-gal friendly plant-based products; a farm says its kitchen has shifted to 100 percent vegetarian and much of it vegan. Community groups offer alpha-gal seminars and support networks, and residents compare safe staples in checkout lines. For those with extreme sensitivity, even baked goods and a bottle of water could pose a risk.

The piece shows how health fears can reshape a place s food culture, turning a tourism hub into a laboratory for diet experimentation. In a community built on fresh food and outdoor life, alpha-gal turns everyday meals into a precaution. The island s farmers, chefs, and grocers are adapting quickly, expanding plant-based lines to serve locals and visitors alike while health professionals monitor the science behind the syndrome. The risk is that fear and misunderstanding could cloud business and public health messaging.

Yet there is promise here. A more diverse, plant-forward food scene could bolster resilience for small farms and independent restaurants alike, while raising awareness of allergic conditions. The question is whether the changes will stick beyond the current health scare.

Highlights

As the island learns to live with alpha gal, what people eat may outlast the ticks.