From Trick-or-Treat to Treat for All: The Power of the Teal Pumpkin!

What is the Teal Pumpkin Project? 

The Teal Pumpkin Project movement was a grassroots movement started by one mother in Tennessee, that was later picked up by FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) in 2014 to make Halloween an enjoyable holiday for everyone! Did you know? 1 in 13 children suffer from a food allergy. Common allergens include eggs, dairy, peanuts, and tree nuts; leaving millions of children feeling excluded during this holiday season. The project takes place every October leading up to Halloween and it is easy to show support and make Halloween enjoyable for everyone!  

How you can Support! 

• Get a Teal Pumpkin: purchase a teal pumpkin from your local store or purchase paints and a pumpkin and make your own! Display your newly purchased/made pumpkin amongst your other spooktacular decorations in front of your home.
• Choose Non-Food Treats: Purchase non-food items from local businesses, to either place inside the pumpkin or hand out to local trick-or-treaters.  

Ideas for Non-Food Treats: Stickers, Pokémon/Sports Cards, Mini Toys, Pencils or Erasers, Bookmarks, And More! 

The best businesses to purchase from are those like Costco who have taken the initiative to sell Pokémon cards in bulk to support the project this Halloween, or to keep your trip inexpensive, shopping at local dollar stores can be a great idea too! In addition CVS has partnered with FARE for the third year in a row to stock up on allergen friendly halloween treats. This Halloween, do your part in the fight for an inclusive holiday and display your teal pumpkin today! 

Additional tips to consider this Halloween: 

• Toys may still have non-allergy-free ingredients: Some toys are manufactured with latex and wheat, even though you bought, or your child received non-food items this season, still be sure to check labels! 

• Take choking hazards into account: smaller items like erasers or small toys can be harmful to children under the age of five, try to be considerate of all ages when making purchases. 

• Stock up on all kinds of candies: if non-food items are too big of an ask this Halloween season, be sure to stock up on an array of different candies, to make sure you have something for everyone! 

For additional help navigating food allergies this holiday season join the waitlist for our AllervisionTech app and have a fangtastic Halloween!