The Teal Pumpkin Project aims to make Halloween fun for all
Tiffany Rickbeil, MD, Internal Medicine
CentraCare Clinic – River Campus Internal Medicine
What started as a local project in Tennessee has become a national campaign to help raise awareness and make Halloween safer for those affected by food allergies.
One in 13 children has a food allergy. Regardless if a child is allergic to nuts, milk, eggs, soy or wheat — he or she should be able to have fun going door-to-door with friends and family on Halloween. By selecting non-food treats, you can help everyone feel included.
To help participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project, follow these steps:
- Purchase non-food treats to give out. You can usually find great ideas at Target, Walmart or your local dollar store. Examples include:
- stickers
- glow bracelets or necklaces
- bubbles
- crayons or pencils
- kazoos
- Halloween-themed erasers
- Play-Doh
- bouncy balls
- whistles
- stamps
- light-up rings
- Paint a pumpkin teal or make a sign indicating you have non-food treats. If you want to print out a sign, you can find one at the Food Allergy Research & Education website.
- If you have a teal pumpkin or a sign at your house, you still can distribute candy on Halloween if you wish. Just keep the candy items in containers separated from the non-food items. When little ghosts and goblins come to your door, ask them which they would prefer.
Kids who don’t have food allergies also enjoy getting non-food treats. It is a healthier option and it’s something they can play with right away on Halloween night. Our family picks something like glow bracelets or light-up rings that help make trick-or-treaters more visible when out and about on Halloween night.
