HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!
Trick-or-treaters are getting ready to head out and collect all the candy, but some children with food allergies can't participate in the same way. Tiffany Leon, the assistant director of training and professional programs with Food Allergy Research & Education said, quote, "One in 13 children has food allergies and a lot of the popular candies kids would be receiving contain some of the common allergens — peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat.”
That is why the TEAL PUMPKIN PROJECT exists. To raise awareness of food allergies and encourage house to offer non-food treats for kids.
Here's how it works:
If you are a family with allergies, you can use the Teal Pumpkin Project map to find houses that are participating with non-food treats, and events
If your house is food allergy friendly and you are offering non-food treats, you can add your house to The Teal Pumpkin Project map so families with allergies can find you easily. Make sure the non-food items are in a separate bowl. Typically it's encouraged to use a teal pumpkin or teal bucket for these items as a sign that you're food allergy friendly, but if you don't have that you can always make a sign to indicate you're participating.
Ideas for non food treats include:
- Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
- Pencils
- Bubbles
- Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
- Mini Slinkies
- slime
- Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
- Bouncy balls
- Toys
- Spider Rings
- Etc.
Source: FARE// The Teal Pumpkin Project