Teal-colored pumpkins are a strange addition to the classic black and orange decorations that are associated with the fall festival, so you might notice them if you’re out for an evening stroll or taking your child trick-or-treating this Halloween.
Although they may seem like a sore thumb, parents and guardians of children with potentially fatal allergies might benefit greatly from the use of teal pumpkins.
For the past ten years, parents have painted pumpkins teal to let trick-or-treaters know that their home has safe options for those with food allergies, as teal is known as the color linked to food allergy awareness.
According to Parents.com, Becky Basalone, a mother in East Tennessee whose kid has serious food allergies, launched the campaign in 2012 under the name Teal Pumpkin Project.
For trick-or-treaters, Bassalone’s family placed a teal pumpkin outside their house and provided non-food items and toys that are free of allergens.
“When our neighbors and trick-or-treaters approached our house on Halloween night, the kids would see the teal pumpkin and my son would proudly explain his food allergies to them,” Bassalone stated in an interview with Allergic Living. “It became a source of pride and a way of starting the conversation. By the end of the night, the kids were more willing to dive into the bowl of food-free treats than the candy.”
She told a food allergy support group about it online, and her little grassroots initiative quickly gained national traction after being taken up by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).
Many young trick-or-treaters must be extremely cautious about possible exposure because chocolate and nut allergies are among the most prevalent food allergies in the United States.
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Parents can now tell that their home is welcoming to children with dietary restrictions or allergy sufferers thanks to those teal pumpkins. In place of conventional bite-sized candy, many participating families provide items like glow sticks, art supplies, or stickers.
Due to the widespread acceptance of Bassalone’s pet project, many stores now sell teal pumpkins in addition to standard Halloween décor, and FARE has an online map that helps families plan their trick-or-treating route and identifies which homes are allergy-friendly.
Click here to learn more about the Teal Pumpkin Project.
