Teal Pumpkin Project Helps Kids with Allergies Enjoy Halloween

October 19, 2014October 15, 2014 Hanna Houck food allergies, Teal Pumpkin, Walkersville High School

by Hanna Houck

For kids with food allergies, Halloween can be a stressful time full of checking treats to make sure they’re not full of tricks.

The Teal Pumpkin Projects was organized to promote safety for kids with allergies. This campaign is encouraging communities to start a new tradition that brings equality to the kids that suffer from allergies.

“The Teal Pumpkin Project is an easy way to make a big impact in your community. Food allergies can be life-threatening, and they affect 1 in 13 children in the United States. We are thrilled to see so many people embracing the Teal Pumpkin Project as a way to ensure kids with food allergies can enjoy a safe, fun Halloween experience just like their friends,” said Veronica LaFemina, a spokesperson for Food Allergy Research and Education.

If you wish to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project by offering non-food treats place a teal painted pumpkin outside your door or print a flyer from www.foodallergy.org .

Examples of non-food treats include glow bracelets or necklaces, pencils, markers, boxes of crayons, bubbles, mini Slinkys, whistles or noisemakers, bouncy balls, spider rings, vampire teeth, mini notepads and stickers.

If you want to purchase food items and offer allergy-free candy, separate them before you hand them out. Cross-contamination is a risk because many allergies only require a small amount of allergen to be triggered.

Sources:

http://www.clickondetroit.com/lifestyle/family/the-teal-pumpkin-project/29126488

http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/10/28/no-tricks-this-halloween-just-allergy-friendly-treats/

http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=56