Teal Pumpkin Project

Here at ADM we have a strict “no outdoor food” rule due to the number of students with food allergies. As a teacher I am always aware of what I am eating and making sure that I wash my hands before I come into the classroom and after eating food. With Halloween just around the corner so many people are stocking up on candy to hand out to the trick-or-treaters. However, what about those kids who are allergic to nuts, or eggs, or gluten? These children might not be able to have the same childhood experiences as their friends simply due to their dietary restrictions. This is why I think that Teal Pumpkin Project is so AWESOME!

For those of you who do not know the Teal Pumpkin Project is, it’s a way to encourage people to have non-candy items for their trick-or-treaters. All you need to do is paint a pumpkin teal and place it on your front porch. This shows parents that you have items that are safe for children with allergies to a specific ingredient. According to FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) this may “start a new tradition that will help make this holiday season less scary for children with food allergies.”

Here are some ideas for treats that you could have besides candy:

• Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
• Glow Sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
• Bubbles
• Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
• Mini Slinkies
• Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
• Bouncy balls
• Finger puppets or novelty toys
• Coins
• Spider rings
• Vampire fangs
• Mini notepads
• Playing cards
• Bookmarks
• Stickers
• Stencils

For more information on this project please visit Teal Pumpkin Project