Halloween can be a challenge for parents of trick-or-treaters with food allergies.
Screening candy can be difficult and some children may feel singled out because they receive less than their friends.
However, the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) group has started a new campaign called the “Teal Pumpkin Project” that recommends giving out non-food treats and letting other families know by painting a pumpkin teal and placing it on porches.
Possible non-food treats include: glow bracelets, pencils, vampire teeth, mini notepads, and playing cards. You can see more on FARE’s website.
“Food allergies are potentially life-threatening. When we are looking at a Halloween celebration, it is really nice to provide something that is safe,” FARE spokeswoman Veronica LaFemina told Today. She noted that one in 13 children in the United States has a food allergy.
In a post on FARE’s blog, the campaign said that it has reached nearly 5 million people on Facebook. The hashtag #TealPumpkinProject is also filled with photos from many Twitter users embracing the campaign.
Here is some of what people have shared:
U.S. & World
We've got our pumpkin ready for the #TealPumpkinProject Thanks @FoodAllergy for this! http://t.co/Yf19hkfhSk pic.twitter.com/2oLE87i4WT
— Michelle Fandrich (@emmefandy) October 20, 2014
Ready for Halloween!!!#TealPumpkinProject @FoodAllergy pic.twitter.com/HYl5JrZQUl
— KH (@xxkimmyhurley) October 15, 2014
Our Teal Pumpkin and some non-food treats, ready for all Trick-Or-Treaters! @FoodAllergy #TealPumpkinProject pic.twitter.com/HLIadE6O3M
— Jovanka Vuckovic (@JovankaVuckovic) October 18, 2014
My Teal Pumpkin! #TealPumpkinProject pic.twitter.com/QnkwclbbJy
— Gina M. Lee, M.Ed. (@MennettLeeLLC) October 18, 2014
@FoodAllergy Carved a peanut in our pumpkin because peanuts are scarier than ghost and goblins. #TealPumpkinProject pic.twitter.com/ap0JpBUqKx
— Kyle Schnabel (@SchnabelKyle) October 19, 2014
#TealPumpkinProject in honor of myself and my brother for being the 1 in 13 kids with food allergies! @FoodAllergy pic.twitter.com/qDSswnigfB
— Michaela✨ (@m_shelley19) October 21, 2014