The Teal Pumpkin Project

Halloween. Trick or Treat. Kids dressing up. Adults handing out free candy.

What’s not to love...unless your child is a child who has allergies or sensitivities to things like nuts, milk, soy, wheat, eggs, and/or any other triggers. Many sugary treats just won’t work for those kids. And, for one in every 13 children in the United States, there are dangerous consequences in consuming trigger foods that cause allergic reactions.

At least in part, that trick-or-treat challenge can be overcome with the Teal Pumpkin Project, which encourages families to display teal colored pumpkins to signal that they are passing out non-food treats. This simple act—inspired by a local awareness activity run by FACET (the Food Awareness Community of Eastern Tennessee)—has made great strides in helping to include all children during Halloween festivities.

https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/about-teal-pumpkin-project

What to give instead of candy? Maybe glow sticks or crayons or nickels or small toys. My dentist used to give away toothbrushes, floss, and tubes of toothpaste (he was way ahead of his time!). Maybe have one bowl with candy and one bowl with other treats.

When I was in elementary school, my friend’s family did not believe in celebrating Halloween (or Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, etc.). When the end of October rolled around and his classmates came to school dressed as clowns or spider man or ballerinas, my friend wore regular clothes. At some point during the in-school Halloween parties, the children paraded from class to class so everyone could see their costumes. My friend was not excused from marching in this parade; he was expected to participate. But although he was greatly embarrassed and more than a little angry, he also was clever. Knowing what was ahead, he brought to school a paper grocery store bag. Before the parade, he cut out holes for eyes and mouth, and used crayons to draw eyebrows, a nose, and hair. He placed the bag over his head and got in line with all of the other kids...who mocked him and made fun. The bag was his costume and also a convenient way to hide his humiliation. He hated that he was excluded and did not care that his parents’ reasons were valid. He could not participate with everyone else. He did this year after painful year...until he and his classmates were deemed “too old” to dress up for Halloween.

For all of the children who—for valid reasons—are told no, the Teal Pumpkin Project is a giant yes.

Yes, I realize you have allergies you cannot control.

Yes, I want to do something special for you.

Yes, you matter.

Yes, you’re welcome.