Ever since Becky Basalone’s brilliant idea was born in 2012, Halloween has never been the same! Basalone painted a pumpkin teal, the food allergy awareness color, set it out on her doorstep Halloween night and handed out non-food treats. The rest is teal history. The Teal Pumpkin Project, which the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) adopted from Basalone, has grown it to ghoulishly great Halloween heights. Today, stores are lit up with teal pumpkin options, from do-it-yourself painting kits, carvable pumpkins, home decor, garden flags and craft projects. The purpose of the Teal Pumpkin Project is to bring awareness to food allergies and inclusion during the Halloween season.
I’ve enjoyed friends who have children with non-food allergy related dietary restrictions jump for joy as well ban together to offer non-food treats and/or allergen savvy items. I have personally handed out non-food treat for years! The kids go bonkers over my nose pencil sharpeners, gross fake fingers and funky glasses. A few years ago, a tween leans over and whispers to me, “uh, you’re suppose to give out candy…” He thought I was confused, but was thrilled with the fake body parts.
This year painting little wooden pumpkins and stamping pewter charms to wear my Teal Pumpkin Project pride this October. I just love adding little bling in my day.
Food Allergy Awareness Teal Pumpkin Project Ideas/TIPS
My favorite Teal Pumpkin fun to-date is the Teal Pumpkin Project Boo Your Neighbor Kit,(see link below). Years ago booed some neighborhood kids with allergen safe “ice cream” treats and bracelets. Can we say HUGE HIT? Another year we failed epic by booing with toys and fun items to a house with a super long driveway. We ended up driving down the steep windy driveway without our headlines on. This was not one of my best parenting moments, but you get the picture surrounding inclusive fun.
Teal Pumpkin Project Home Page -FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project page has so many ideas, free downloads, information and fun things to do on that it is a don’t miss.
FARE Teal Pumpkin Shopping Online – Posters, toys, stickers, Garden signs and more!
Teal Pumpkin Project Boo Your Neighbor Kit – free Downloads includes instructions, treat ideas, poster and note for your Boo “victim”.
Trunk or Treat Teal Pumpkin Ideas from Oriental Trading – online shopping for non-food treats.
Micheal’s craft stores sell Teal Craft Pumpkins, bare unpainted Halloween light-up decor and of course, teal colored paints! Check out how easy it is to paint your Teal Pumpkin Project goodies!
Target is in on the Teal Pumpkin Project fun too with “craftable” pumpkins, special carving kits and even some elegant teal pumpkin home decor.
ETSY is another online shopping source to find fun items ranging from signage to jewelry.
Allergic Living Magazine has a tasty Allergy Friendly Halloween Candy and Resource article. Note: this link is to the 2016 guide as soon as the 2017 piece is available online, I will re-link!
How will you to Teal Pumpkin Halloween this year?
p.s Don’t forget to list your teal pumpkin-ness on FARE’s participation map, so others can find you!
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..