The teal pumpkin that you may see sitting on the shelf at the store has a very important meaning behind it. It’s something that many people don’t know about, but could change the ways of Halloween for the better.
Many Halloween treats aren’t safe for children with allergies, prohibiting various children from being able to go trick or treating. This is what the Teal Pumpkin Project is all about. This worldwide project promotes giving out alternate Halloween treats for children with life-threatening food allergies or kids who are not able to have candy. It allows Halloween to be a fun night for everyone.
Jenna Willet, a junior at North Scott High School, has a severe peanut allergy. Willet said, “It was always hard on Halloween night because I was never able to eat any of the candy that I received, and being a kid, it got frustrating and annoying.” The Teal Pumpkin Project didn’t exist when Willet was a child. “I hope that people will understand how important the teal pumpkin is, and how much better it could make a child’s Halloween night.”
The Teal Pumpkin Project started from a local awareness activity that was run by the Food Allergy Committee of East Tennessee. They started this project simply for Halloween to be more inclusive. The color teal was chosen because teal represents food allergy awareness. The goal of the Teal Pumpkin Project is not to make Halloween “healthier”, or to reduce the amount of candy given to children, but simply to give alternate options to kids who have allergies.
“I’m excited to promote the teal pumpkin this year. It’ll give kids the option of what they want, and will also show kids with allergies that we want to include them and are thinking of them,” stated Mary Carlson. These non-food items to hand out don’t have to be anything expensive. Glow sticks, pencils, stickers, and erasers are just as fun for these kids who can’t have candy.
By placing teal pumpkins on our front porch the night of Halloween, it shows kids that we want everyone to be involved in Halloween festivities. Teal pumpkins are available online or at Target, which makes promoting the Teal Pumpkin Project even easier!
