How to Support the Teal Pumpkin Project This Halloween
We’re getting close to Halloween – your costume is hanging in the closet, and a big bag of candy is waiting by the door for trick-or-treaters. But here’s something you may not have considered: 1 in 13 children in the U.S. has a food allergy, and many of the traditional treats handed out on Halloween aren’t safe for them. FARE encourages you to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year to make sure all kids are included and have a magical Halloween!
What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?
Trick-or-treating can be spooky for both children, and the parents of children, with food allergies because of the potential reaction if exposed to a problem ingredient. Many years ago, a small community in East Tennessee started the Teal Pumpkin Project to both raise awareness and provide alternatives for children, and it’s expanded nationwide since then.
It’s simple: homes that are offering non-food treats for those with food allergies display a teal pumpkin, or signage, so families know it’s a “safe” home for them to visit on Halloween. The point is to make trick-or-treating inclusive for all children, and offering non-food treats allows those with food allergies to get in on the fun.
How to Get Involved
Getting involved is easy, and so many families will be grateful that you participate.
Purchase non-food treats
The first step is to buy non-food treats. You can get as creative as you want, but here are some tried and true options:
- Tattoos or stickers
- Glow sticks
- Crayons, pencils, coloring books
- Bubbles
You can certainly still offer candy to other kids, but having these options for those with food allergies makes sure they’re included in all the Halloween fun.
Display a Teal Pumpkin
The second step is to display a Teal Pumpkin to show that you have treats that are NOT food available for trick-or-treaters. You can paint a pumpkin teal or print one of these free signs to display.
Bonus: Add your home to the Teal Pumpkin map
This isn’t required, but it’s a great tool for parents of food allergic children. You can add your home to a map, for free, and then parents are able to plan on which houses to visit on Halloween night.
It’s easy to participate, and makes a big difference for families in the food allergy community.
Treating Food Allergies
The fear of accidental exposure isn’t only on Halloween night; the possibility is always there, and can be scary for so many. Treating the cause is one way to add a layer of safety in case of accidental exposure.
Treatment starts with allergy testing and a thorough exam and history. If recommended by a provider, allergy drops following The La Crosse Method™ Protocol may be included in your child’s treatment plan. Allergy drops contain tiny amounts of the food allergen that causes reactions – enough to build tolerance, but not too much to cause reactions.
Over time, the amount is slowly and safely increased so that the body learns to handle more and more of the allergen, until ultimately, it no longer reacts. Some find they are able to reintroduce a food back into their diet, and some have an added layer of safety in case of accidental exposure. Find a provider near you that offers testing and treatment to get started today.