It's nearly the end of October. All the stores are starting to fill their ads and shelves with Christmas items, but we haven't even gotten to go trick-or-treating yet. And for many young kids, they won't get to go at all due to food allergies or special diets that would prevent them from eating most of the candy that is given out on this spooky-fun filled night.
To make trick-or-treating a little safer and to be more inclusive, FARET (Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee) started a project in 2014 called The Teal Pumpkin Project with the help of FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) to make it a national launch.
The teal pumpkin is a sign that the house gives out non food treats. Such a glow sticks, stickers or little toys. This way a child doesn't have to leave the door disappointed that there may not have been something safe for them in the bowl of treats. This also helps with parents having to worry less about if their child grabs something that could be harmful to them just so they don't feel left out on the fun. The teal pumpkin project prevents kids from feeling left out or different for not being able to pick up a treat like all the other children in the group.
Last year, families from all 50 states and from 14 countries took part in this new movement to help include kids in the fun filled night of trick-or-treating. Below is a map from the teal pumpkin website. This map allows families who are apart of this movement to add their address so that others can find a neighborhood close to them where people are supporting this project. It also allows the person posting to add a little information about what they give out. Many offer both food and non food items. Some even offer dairy free and nut free treats. 
This screen shot is only of the US and the UK. Trick-or-treating is meant to be fun and enjoyed by children of all ages. Not just for those that don't have an allergy. Some people will say that they just have to get over it or deal with it like they had to as a child. But that's not really in the spirit of Halloween (or the giving season, which Halloween basically is the kick off for). That child deserves to enjoy the night just like anyone else without having to worry about what they are putting in their bag.
So let's make a little ghost or witch's night by displaying a teal pumpkin and by spreading the word so that on All hallows eve, every little monster can enjoy some treats...and maybe a few tricks.
For more information on the Teal Pumpkin you can visit their webpage, or their Facebook page!
