Teal-Pumpkin-Project-2

Halloween is fun for kids, but also a challenge for kids with food allergies. Some 15 million Americans have food allergies and 1 in every 13 children are affected by this disease.

Launched as a national campaign by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) in 2014, the Teal Pumpkin Project™ raises awareness of food allergies and promotes inclusion of all trick-or-treaters throughout the Halloween season.

treat-bowl-TPPYou can help create a safer, happier Halloween for all kids by putting out a teal pumpkin (that’s right, just paint a pumpkin teal and place by your door where kids can see it) along with a free printable sign from FARE, to indicate you have non-food treats available.

Then provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters (place in a separate bowl if also handing out candy). What to give instead of candy? You can go old school and offer coins, or pick up tattoos, bubbles, glow sticks, crayons, plastic jewelry, stickers, bouncy balls and bookmarks from party or discount stores.

Side benefit: Less leftover candy to tempt you after Halloween is over.

4 replies on “Teal Is The New Black (And Orange) For Halloween”

  1. While I sympathize with families who have to deal with food allergies, and medical requirements– at some point, it’s on them. Just as it will be on the kids. Because the idea of “non-food treats for trick-or-treaters” is a sure fire way to get egged.

    But is this any different from the fear of razor blades in treats? This fear caused my mom to “check all the candy.”

    She didn’t need a teal covered sign to tell her to do her job as a parent. (And I hope that even if a home displays the teal sign, parents still check the food– don’t rely on a sign for your kid’s safety I always say.)

    But please, be that house that gives away books, usb drives, or whatever a “non-food treat” might be. Word will get out fast and you’ll be stuck with your bowl full of “non-food treats.”

  2. “But is this any different from the fear of razor blades in treats?”

    —of course it is, silly man. Razor blades were fiction—allergies are fact. Given your demonstrated allergy to facts, your question is understandable, if still inane.

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