Bring Magic to Halloween With the Teal Pumpkin Project

Seeing a kid’s eyes light up when they pick a treat from the treat bowl is always fun. But what about seeing a kid with food allergy choose a treat, without them having to worry about an allergic reaction? That’s magical.

And creating that joy is as simple as offering non-food treats! Hearing from kids, or their parents, that because of you they got to experience trick-or-treating for the first time will change the way you look at Halloween.

Creating joy for children with food allergy is what drives our community to spread the word and get others involved. This community is the heart of the Teal Pumpkin Project. 

1 in 13 children in the U.S. have food allergy, which means about two children in every classroom. But alongside the possibility of life-threatening allergic reactions exists the opportunity for life-changing experiences. Teal Pumpkin Project offers a more inclusive Halloween for the nearly 6 million children in the U.S. with food allergies.

At its core, the Teal Pumpkin Project asks people to purchase non-food treats and place them in a bowl, separate from food treats. Families taking part identify their homes with a teal pumpkin on the front step or porch, or with a Teal Pumpkin sign in the window, to indicate that non-food treats are being offered. You can add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project Map to help trick-or-treaters plan their routes.

That’s the core of the project. Now let’s talk about the heart! Kids are handing out pre-packaged starter kits, parents are passing out information at school events, companies are getting their employees involved, retail stores are stocked full of non-food treat items, and people are hosting allergy-friendly parties and “trunk or treats.” The Teal Pumpkin Project has become a global initiative. 

Taking part in the Teal Pumpkin Project is a simple, annual tradition that changes lives. You can find non-food treats that cost the same as candy and, unlike leftover candy, you can re-use your supply year after year. You don’t have to stop passing out your usual candy—just keep food treats and non-food treats in separate bowls.

Kids with food allergy are not the only ones who benefit from non-food treats. Many other medical conditions make candy off limits, such as food intolerances, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), celiac disease, food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), diabetes, and having a feeding tube. But what kid doesn’t love picking from glowsticks, bubbles, or fidget toys?

So, this Halloween, buy non-food treats. Display your teal pumpkin with pride and add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project Map. You are part of a community that changes lives and makes magic happen!