Join Us and Support the Teal Pumpkin Project
AllergyHealth for Allergenis
Want to know how you can easily up your Halloween game this year?
Participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project! The Teal Pumpkin Project is a simple way to make sure kids with food allergies and other dietary restrictions can trick or treat at your house safely.
Halloween can be stressful for families (and the 1 in 12 children) who live with food allergies. Candy and other Halloween treats are abundant and often contain common allergens (among them, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, and wheat). And, any allergen can trigger a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis. Food allergy parents often feel worried that trick-or-treating will be unsafe for their kids. Kids with food allergies that do go door-to-door for Halloween can come away without any treats at all – with nothing safe to choose from.
Enter the Teal Pumpkin Project! Began in 2012 in Tennessee as a part of a local food allergy initiative, the Teal Pumpkin Project’s message of inclusion has now spread to all 50 U.S. states and six continents. By placing a teal-colored pumpkin at your door or near your mailbox, you are signaling that your house will offer non-food treats in addition to candy.
What are some examples of non-food treats?
Where do we begin! Bouncy balls, mini bottles of bubbles, stickers, glow bracelets, temporary tattoos, rubber spiders, mochis, stamps…. We could go on and on! There are endless possibilities to delight and surprise little pirates, princesses, and superheroes! You can easily order your stock of non-food items online (HINT: birthday party favors also make great Teal Pumpkin treats!). But if you’re shopping last minute, you’re not out of luck! Most major retailers have caught on to the Teal Pumpkin trend including CVS and other pharmacies, Target, Walmart, supermarkets, etc.
Want to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project?
Allergenis can help you get started! First, download our Allergenis Teal Pumpkin Resource Guide and Coloring Pages. It comes with instructions for individual families as well as ideas for how classrooms can get involved in the Teal Pumpkin Project. Our Teal Pumpkin Project Resource Guide also includes a sign to print and hang on your mailbox or at your front door as another way to let trick-or-treaters with food allergies know it’s safe to spook at your house. Next, add your house to the Teal Pumpkin Project Map hosted by FARE. Finally, share with your neighbors so kids have their choice of houses to haunt!
The big, surprised smile on a child’s (and parent’s) face will be your best Halloween treat!
