Trick-or-treating with allergies: The Teal Pumpkin Project is an

Then provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters (place in a separate bowl if also handing out candy).

Since 2014, the Teal Pumpkin Project has been Food Allergy Research and Education’s “baby”, as the advocacy group launched the project a year ago to raise awareness about childhood food allergies, especially the more serious ones, and to make kids suffering from these allergies feel included on Halloween. According to their website, households from over 50 states and seven countries across the globe participated in 2014.

“We’ve been thrilled by the response”, LaFemina said. “You go to every house and you think about what they’re giving your child, but when you see these blue pumpkins it takes all of that away”, says Ashley Valentini.

If you’ve noticed a few brightly colored teal pumpkins on your neighbor’s porch, they’re not just being artsy.

“It made trick-or-treating for my son a lot safer”, Thomas said. Sullivan, like Thomas, wanted to spread the word to help her two sons, Henry, 3, and Jack, 2. Milk, eggs and especially nuts are all extremely common allergies in children, and those ingredients are often found in numerous goodies passed out to trick-or-treaters. “We want them to be safe and have fun. Based on the response, we’re not the only ones”.

It’s called the Teal Pumpkin Project, which supports kids with food allergies. A teal pumpkin means those homes have sweets and treats that are safe for kids with food allergies. An effort is being taken by Robertson as well as other parents in the Northeast Missouri community about making Halloween inclusive for children who have food allergies. So far there are only three participating residences in the Toledo area, including the Thomas family.