Born out of one mom’s desire to help ensure that children with food allergies would not feel left out on Halloween, the Teal Pumpkin Project®, now in its 6th year as a national awareness campaign led by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), has spread far and wide – reaching millions across the U.S. and beyond -- in an effort to help create a happier, safer Halloween for all.
Although Halloween looks different this year, FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), runs the annual Teal Pumpkin Project. This initiative aims to raise awareness surrounding food allergies by making Halloween safer and more inclusive for all trick-or-treaters while remaining mindful of the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Take the Teal Pumpkin Pledge! Sign up to tell your friends and neighbors that you want Halloween to be safe for everyone.
The Teal Pumpkin Project encourages participants to place a teal pumpkin in front of their homes to show they have non-food treats available for children with food allergies or necessary dietary restrictions. Many popular Halloween candies contain nuts, milk, egg, soy, wheat or sesame, which are among the most common allergens. Additionally, many miniature candy items do not have labels and may be formulated or manufactured differently than full-sized candies of the same brand, making it difficult to determine whether these items are safe.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have declared the traditional Halloween celebration of trick-or-treating a high-risk activity, FARE has created an online hub for families to find resources, spark creativity, and take the Teal Pumpkin Pledge, all aimed to keep the spirit of Halloween alive without the risk of COVID-19.
The Teal Pumpkin Pledge is a new offering from FARE and the Teal Pumpkin Project® that helps those wishing to participate in Halloween celebrations stay safe. By taking the Teal Pumpkin Pledge, participants receive a “Teal Pumpkin Pledge Certificate” they can display on their windows or doors to show their neighbors and friends that they are committed to a safe Halloween.
Among the many resources that FARE shares on its website is an interactive map to help families determine the relative risk of participating in Halloween activities in counties across the country.
To learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project, visit https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/living-teal/teal-pumpkin-project
Learn more at the FARE Facebook Page or on TWITTER and help raise awareness of food allergies and this initiative during the Halloween season by sharing on social media using hashtag #TealPumpkinProject.
This year the Teal Pumpkin Project has a store where you can buy Teal products at https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/living-teal/teal-pumpkin-project/teal-pumpkin-shop
