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Trick-or-treating can be a dicey affair for kids with serious allergies who are unable to eat food items commonly found in popular candies — like milk, nuts, eggs, and soy. So the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) group is raising awareness and simultaneously making Halloween extra exciting for children with food allergies again.
The Teal Pumpkin Project, which launched in 2014 via a blog and Facebook page, is designed to encourage inclusiveness on Halloween by highlighting houses that celebrate in allergy-friendly ways. The project encourages those who have "non-food treats" such as small toys, crayons, and stickers to place a teal-painted pumpkin on their porch or stoop. This way parents will know where to go for safe goodies.
Families who wish to support the cause can visit FARE's website for printable fliers to help spread the word and find more ideas for fun, non-food treats. The concept has already amassed a strong following over the last year, with popularity on social media continually growing. And FARE's advocates are ecstatic.
"We are thrilled to see so many people embracing the Teal Pumpkin Project as a way to ensure kids with food allergies can enjoy a safe, fun Halloween experience just like their friends," Veronica LaFemina, spokeswoman for the organization, told CNN.
As teal-colored pumpkins become a more commonly known sign for marking houses that serve alternative treats (AKA trinkets, like small toys and stickers), it's becoming increasingly easy to get in on the trend. If you don't have time to paint a gourd, stores like Michael's and Amazon have started selling teal faux-pumpkins, and the latter sells a range of yard signs you could use.
Teal Halloween Pumpkins For Allergy-Safe Houses
Teal Pumpkin
Teal Pumpkin Project Food Allergy Awareness Pumpkin
You can read more about the Teal Pumpkin Project here.
