As Halloween festivities and trick-or-treating trickle to a stop, most kids start digging into the mounds of candy they collected. However, children with food allergies and intolerances must be more cautious when sorting through their treats from the night.
What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?
To protect kids with food allergies and make trick-or-treating more inclusive, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a non-profit organization, encourages participation in the Teal Pumpkin Project.
One in 13 children have food allergies, according to FARE. Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep or in your window Halloween night lets trick-or-treaters know that you offer treats besides candy that are fun and safe for children with allergies, intolerances and other conditions.
Who can participate?
People planning on displaying a teal pumpkin can add their home or to the Teal Pumpkin Project Map. In 2022, over 16,000 homes and 100 events across all 50 states were displayed on the map, according to FARE.
CVS became FARE’s exclusive retail partner in 2022, and 4,500 CVS Pharmacy stores were marked on the map letting people know the stores had 50 allergy-safe food items for sale.
Where do I get a teal pumpkin?
If you plan on participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project, feel free to paint your own pumpkin teal! Or, you can purchase foam teal pumpkins, signs, garden flags, lights and other yard decorations at CVS, Target or on Amazon. You can find a list of decorations for purchase on FARE’s website at foodallergy.org.
12×18 Double Sided Teal Pumpkin Sign Halloween Flag
Teal Pumpkin 15″ Inflatable
How did the campaign start?
Many popular candies contain top food allergens, including milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and soy, according to FARE. In 2012, a local food allergy group in Tennessee launched the Teal Pumpkin Project to help keep kids with those allergies safe. In 2014, FARE expanded the project and is now a nationwide initiative.
Ultimately, the Teal Pumpkin Project aims to protect children with food intolerances and make Halloween just as fun for the kids who can’t — or don’t want to — eat candy. Display a teal pumpkin this Halloween to make the holiday inclusive for all children.
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