Have you ever taken your child trick-or-treating and noticed a teal-colored pumpkin sitting on a porch? Well, that teal-colored pumpkin has a special meaning behind it.
The new tradition began in 2014 thanks to the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization. They are calling it the Teal Pumpkin Project.
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According to FARE’s website, “putting a teal pumpkin on your doorstep means you have non-food treats available, such as glow sticks or small toys.” Fare states that by offering non-food items, it helps those “trick-or-treaters with food allergies or other conditions” feel safe and included.
The Teal Pumpkin Project was initially inspired by the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee.
Chelsea Baker Snare is the mom of a two-year-old boy who has a tree nut allergy. As she tells USA Today, ingesting nuts can make him “really sick.” And as a result, she’s a big supporter of the Teal Pumpkin Project.
“It allows kids to dress up and go out with their friends without fear, without feeling left out, and some peace of mind for parents that they won’t have to micro-manage their child’s treats.”
Snare and another mom, Natalie Brenneman, whose three-year-old son has a rare disorder that forces him to follow a “low-carb diet void of added sugars or sweeteners,” now encourage other families to join the Teal Pumpkin Project.
Brenneman told USA Today, “Change is hard. But I think folks will be surprised at how little effort it takes to offer non-edible treats. Toys last longer than candy and might very well be cheaper, too.”
And as FARE reports, non-edible Halloween treats are just as easy to grab as a bag of candy is. Here are a few examples they give for those houses who want to include all diets into their spooky celebrations:
Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces. Pencils, pens, crayons or markers. Bubbles. Halloween erasers or pencil toppers. Mini Slinkies. Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers. Bouncy balls. Vampire fangs. Mini notepads. Playing cards, and more.
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The Teal Project also says it’s fine to still hand out candy as well, but urges those houses to do so “safely.” They suggest keeping the candy and non-food treats in separate bowls.
So, who else is running to grab their orange pumpkin and some teal paint?