They are also aiming to make Totnes the nut tree capital of Britain.

CNN: The towns taking control of their future

The group has found that where the Maya nut tree disappears, 50 to 80 percent of local species are wiped out in six months to a year.

CNN: Maya nut changes lives while aiding the rain forest

According to Allergy UK, peanut and tree nut allergy is the most common food allergy in adults and children.

BBC: Store pulls monkey nuts from shelves over 'peanut warning'

Dr. ELIZABETH MATSUI (Johns Hopkins University): We still need to be very vigilant about protecting the children who are still peanut and tree nut allergic.

NPR: Studies Predict Odds of Outgrowing Nut Allergies

With one tree able to produce as much as 400 pounds of food a year, using the Maya nut prevents rain forest clear-cutting to harvest other foods and increases populations' food supplies.

CNN: Maya nut changes lives while aiding the rain forest