ID: The words New Blog Post in the upper right hand corner, beside the title “What’s the deal with the pumpkins of teal?” Beneath is a picture of three pumpkins, one painted a bright teal.
Have you seen a pumpkin painted teal or a child carrying the classic plastic pumpkin candy basket colored teal? It’s all a part of the Teal Pumpkin Project. The official Facebook page for The Teal Pumpkin Project describes it as “designed to promote safety, inclusion, and respect of individuals managing food allergies.”
Placing a teal pumpkin outside your home indicates that you have non-food treats to offer trick-or-treaters. The CDC states that roughly 1 in 13 children are affected by a food allergy. The Teal Pumpkin Project’s FAQ’s explains “Many traditional Halloween treats aren’t safe for children with life-threatening food allergies.” Offering non-food items allows children with food allergies to participate more freely with less fear and less danger. The two requirements of participating are offering non-food items and having a teal pumpkin to indicate your participation. If you are unable to get a teal pumpkin, The Teal Pumpkin Project has printable signs.
Carrying a teal bucket can indicate a trick-or-treater with food allergies. This is a visual cue meant to help the trick-or-treaters let you know of their needs without having to vocalize it, especially as some kids may be shy. Other communities have begun using this visual cue system as well. A blue bucket may indicate Autism and a purple bucket may indicate a child with epilepsy. This color coded system is not necessarily universal. It is better used as a guide. Offer kids with teal baskets, non-food items as well as traditional treats and let them decide. “The idea behind these colored pumpkins and buckets is rooted in a way to help families with children with all types of special health care needs navigate a night of trick-or-treating with a little less stress, and more patience and understanding,” said Anson Koshy, MD, a pediatric specialist quoted in UT Physicians.
An Allergic Living interview explains that the project was started in 2012 by Becky Basalone, the director of a local support group for food allergies, Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee (FACET) and mother-of-two. In 2014, the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) group began promoting the Teal Pumpkin Project nationally. Over the last ten years the project has continued to grow in participation, with teal pumpkins popping up in Canada and Britain as well. This year FARE has partnered with CVS to have “food-allergy safe” Halloween treats in 4,500 stores, making it easier than ever to get yourself some glow sticks.
Basalone is quoted in Allergic Living as saying “I just hope that this really helps to encourage inclusion for children with dietary limitations and restrictions.” It is my hope that this information allows you to offer treats for all the trick-or-treaters in your community. Who doesn’t love a glow stick?
Comments