Halloween is fast approaching! The stores are already filled with costumes, candy, and creepy decorations! If your children are anything like my son, they’ve already changed their minds five times about what they want to be. A zombie. A transformer. One of the PJ Masks characters. I can’t remember which one, and I’m making no efforts to figure it out because it will likely be something else before we even get to October.
It is an exciting time of year for those who celebrate.
But, it can also be a time filled with anxiety and disappointment for the estimated one in 13 children who deal daily with food allergies. Not to mention the countless other children who live with food intolerances and illnesses that impact the foods that they can safely eat. And, don’t forget those who choose diets other than the Standard American Diet.
An estimated 90% of allergic reactions caused by food come from milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (such as almonds, cashews), fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat (gluten). While you’re not likely to find many Halloween treats containing fish or shellfish, most of the candies we do find on our shelves this time of year contain one or more of the listed allergens.
Meaning that the adorable orange jack o’lantern bowl filled with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey’s with Almonds, and Kit Kat Bars contains deadly poison to a child dealing with food allergies, intolerances, or other illnesses impacted by what they eat.
What this all boils down to is that there are children who are unable to fully participate in our fun trick or treating traditions. Even if they choose to walk their neighborhood or local Trunk or Treat, they cannot eat the loot they collect.
For a child, this is heart breaking. For a parent, it is agonizing. Food allergies, intolerances, and related illnesses are no laughing matter. They have deadly consequences.
They do not, however, have to keep our littles loves from participating on Halloween.
A few years ago, the Teal Pumpkin Project endeavored to create a safer, healthier Halloween for ALL of our children. The goals are simple and important: (1) raise awareness about food allergies and (2) promote inclusion for all trick or treaters.
How to Participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project
- Provide non-food treats to trick or treaters.
- Display a teal pumpkin so that trick or treaters know you have non-food treats.
- Add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project map.
- Spread the word to your family and friends.
My family has been participating for years. It is so simple! Find a way to display a teal pumpkin near your door (I’d also suggest a shout-out on NextDoor and other social media outlets -this way you’ll neighbors will know your home is safe and they may also choose to offer non-food treats). Stock up on food and non-food treats. You’ll likely be surprised to find that if you give the kids a choice between a toy and a candy bar, they’ll often pick the toy! So, be prepared!
Target is currently carrying a variety of Teal Pumpkin Project gear. Teal buckets, teal foam pumpkins, teal inflatable pumpkins, and teal jack o’lanterns that light up! I decided to upgrade my Crayola pumpkin to a cute jack o’lantern. They also have several shelves of small toys that your kids are sure to love! Oriental Trading Company is another great resource for teal pumpkins and non-food treats! Don’t forget U.S. Toy as a great location for fun, non-food treats.
