Halloween is a fun holiday for many kids. You can dress up in a fun costume and go trick-or-treating, collecting lots of candy. But what if you had a food allergy, which causes your immune system to overreact to certain food proteins? Trick-or-treating might not feel like a possibility with the high risk of being exposed to an allergen. FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) decided to help change that with the Teal Pumpkin Project.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a worldwide movement to create a more inclusive Halloween for all kids. Typically, putting a teal pumpkin on your doorstep means you have non-food treats available, like small toys. It was originally started to help children with food allergies, but there are benefits for lots of kids, including those with diabetes or feeding difficulties. This initiative helps keep Halloween a fun and positive experience for everyone!
Want to join in on the fun? The Handley and Bowman branches will be hosting a Teal Pumpkin Day on October 31st. Stop by throughout the day at either location for items and treats safe for all trick-or-treaters. Costumes are encouraged, and there will also be a fun Halloween craft in the children’s room.
You can also participate in your own neighborhood! Visit https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/living-teal/teal-pumpkin-project for resources to help you get started creating an inclusive Halloween experience.