Rachel Kiser
Blogger | Mom of Two
Halloween is a holiday most of us associate with spooky costumes, fun decorations, and loot bags full to the brim with candy; but for many, it can be scary for reasons other than the obvious ghouls and goblins.
Trick-or-treating is a childhood rite of passage. We all have fond memories of stuffing our pillowcases with handfuls of candy, getting home, and eating our spoils. Unfortunately, almost all conventional candy bars contain common allergens like seeds, nuts, soy, and dairy, thus making it not only a disappointing event, but a potentially dangerous one for those who suffer from serious food allergies or other conditions, like diabetes. With an estimated 1 in 13 American children suffering from food allergies, it is truly an issue to be concerned with.
Food Allergy Research & Education
Enter: the Teal Pumpkin Project. Launched by FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), the Project’s goal is to educate the general population on the dangers of food allergies, and how we can best make Halloween a safe and fun holiday for everyone. According to their website, in 2015 the Project had participation from all 50 states and in over 14 countries worldwide. As word travels, they anticipate an even greater showing this year.
“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,” says Veronica LaFemina, spokeswoman for Food Allergy Research & Education.
So how do you participate? You can simply paint a pumpkin teal and place it on your doorstep, indicating that you are offering non-food treats for trick-or-treaters. You can also print out a mini poster from FARE’s website to post outside of your door, similarly telling allergy families that they are safe to accept treats from your home.
Food Allergy Research & Education
All it takes to enrich more kid’s lives on Halloween night is some affordable paint and a basket of Dollar Spot prizes. I can imagine how hard it is for parents of children with allergies to watch them be disappointed at every party, holiday, and gathering when they’re unable to partake like their peers. Let’s put out our teal pumpkins and do our part to make Halloween special, for everybody!
About Rachel Kiser
Rachel is a wife and mother living in Raleigh, North Carolina. She’s a fan of good coffee, wearer of gray t-shirts, and is constantly starting books she will never finish. Her family is her joy, and she loves to engage with other moms and dads on matters of parenting. Her blog posts have also been featured on the Today Show Parenting Blog and Scary Mommy.
View all posts by Rachel Kiser here.
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11 Comments on “These Teal Pumpkins Aren’t Just Pretty, They’re For a Great Cause”
I love the Teal Pumkin idea and hope it will be talked about in the school with information for the parents too.
Great idea!
What a thoughtful idea.
This is such a great idea. We don’t hand out candy because we are out taking our kids trick or treating. However, in the future when/if they stop we will for sure do this. It is easy to forget sometimes about other kids having allergies if your kids don’t have them. I will pass this info onto my family and friends that do hand out candy.
Glad you found it informative, Tandi! We’ll be doing the same, but leaving a bucket of treats on the porch this year. One of candy, One on the other side of treats. I know I don’t understand the stress of having a child with severe allergies, but I’m sure this movement is so encouraging!
The teal pumpkin project is a great campaign. I wonder if houses that are going to participate can sign up somewhere so that list could be used by the parents so they are not aimlessly driving around looking for teal pumpkins?
Bekah, that is such a great thought! I didn’t think of that. I wonder if there is something like that– maybe an email into the foundation’s leadership would find that interesting since it is such a new and growing campaign. I like the way you think.
I think this is a neat idea ,last year i gave out $store treats like stickers and games.I find most of the candy goes in the garbage anyway
That’s such a great idea, Kathy! In a sea of snickers bars and smarties, I’m sure the kids are happy to have something fun to play with after all of the candy is gone!
First time hearing of this and i think its great,last year i gave out $store treats like stickers and games.I find most of the candy just goes in the garbage anyway.
sorry i thought the first didnt go in…oops