This fall’s teal pumpkin trend, explained

A national movement that aims residents to offer trick-or-treat alternatives to children with food allergies and to signify they’re participating by painting their pumpkins teal has caught on in the Waco area.

“It seems kind of stupid”.

It’s called the “Teal Pumpkin Project”. Thankfully, I do not have any food allergies, but I sure can sympathize with those who have it. It is basically an abnormal immune response to food.

Hershey bars, Snickers and Reese’s may be trick-or-treat night staples, but for children who have food allergies, these type of treats can be risky. This year the goal is to have 100,000 participants using the group’s blue-greenish color icon.

You can buy teal pumpkins at stores or just paint your own. “It’s scary. If you want bring more awareness to allergies this is a great way”.

Dr. Tracy Fausnight, a pediatric allergist and immunologist at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, said the most common food allergies for young children are milk, egg and peanut. Typical symptoms may include, but not limited to itchiness, swelling of the tongue, vomiting, diarrhea, hives, trouble breathing, or low blood pressure.

Last year, Long Island native Jill Mindlin was one of the only people in her neighborhood who put out a teal pumpkin.

A handful of kids with food allergies were thrilled to find Mindlin’s assortment of spider rings, glow sticks, tattoos and stickers.

“It supports all children with food allergies or food restrictions, ranging from as kids with anaphylaxis to kids with ADHD or autism”. “It’s kind of not fair, and we wanted them to have the opportunity to enjoy the fun and have candy that they could eat”, she said.

Klase said she is excited for the project.

“Allow kids to be kids (but) be prepared” with inhalers and epi pens, he says.

“Some days you just don’t know if you’re going to make it or not”.