To most kids, Halloween is a fun time to dress up in costumes of their favorite characters and go trick or treating! This isn’t the case for kids with food allergies or sensitivities, however. Trick or treating may not be fun, but instead a little disappointing. Can you imagine hearing all about this holiday for weeks, going trick or treating with your siblings or friends and then not being able to eat most or any of the candy you received?
According to Food Allergy Research & Education, or FARE, 5.6 million children with food allergies in the U.S. That is one in every 13 children. Meaning that every Halloween you give out candy you are giving a handful of children candy that they cannot eat.
I have been fortunate enough to not have a food allergy, but my childhood best friend dealt with food allergies all her life. I remember going out to eat with her and her having to ask for special menus or just not eating at all because there was nothing she could eat. The meals that her mom made for us when I was over were different than the meals my mom normally made for me. Even now she has to check all the food she buys. I feel strongly about this topic because of my best friend’s experiences.
Earlier this month I was researching allergy-friendly options for Halloween and came across the Teal Pumpkin Project.
Mary Jo Strobel the executive director at American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders describes the Teal Pumpkin Project as, “For children with dietary restrictions due to a medical condition, such as for eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, Halloween can be anything but a treat! That is why APFED is pleased to support the Teal Pumpkin Project, an initiative that focuses on the inclusion of children with special diets who trick-or-treat. This powerful campaign also raises awareness of food aversions during Halloween, which is appreciated by the thousands of families who struggle to follow medically-necessary diets each day.”
There are only 4 steps to be involved in the Teal Pumpkin Project.
- Provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters
- Put a teal pumpkin outside your house to notify others that you have non-food treats
- Add your home/location to the Teal Pumpkin Project map online
- Share the Teal Pumpkin Project with your family and friends
Some examples of non-food treats are pencils, glow bracelets, stickers, bubbles, Halloween toys, bouncy balls, and noisemakers. Most of these items can be found at a dollar store or convenience store. Participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project doesn’t mean you can’t hand out candy as well. Just to make sure to ask kids or parents if they want candy or a prize.
Even though most college students live in dorms or apartments, this is still important information to know about. My parents give out candy on Halloween, and someday when I have my own house I will do the same. Participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project is a great way to make Halloween fun for everyone!
All quotes and statistics are sourced from https://www.foodallergy.org