The Teal Pumpkin Project
The Teal Pumpkin Project was started last year (2014) by FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education). This project is not only to help promote awareness of food allergies, but also to give children with food allergies a safe experience and to allow them to trick or treat and not need to be excluded. The Teal Pumpkin Project is a nationwide movement and you do not have to have a child with food allergies in order to take the pledge or participate with a teal pumpkin and safe treats/surprises for children managing food allergies or those that are not allowed candy. Visit FARE for more information.
Why is This Important to Us?
As many of you know, my youngest monkey - Ezio (3yo) has several food allergies, a couple of which are fairly severe. Halloween is my favorite time of year! I love trick or treating with the kids and seeing all of the different costumes. However, this is also a very stressful time for us as Ezio is allergic to egg (which is in many American chocolate candies), peanut, tree nut, coconut (coconut oil is an ingredient in many candies and snacks as well), sesame, etc. He can for sure have Twizzler, Gimbal's Fine Candies and a few other
candies that do not have chocolate. Almost all chocolate candies are off limits for him because they either have egg in the chocolate or they may be cross contaminated with peanut and/or tree nuts. While no, at three years old he doesn't need chocolate or any candy really, it's not fair to him to watch his older two siblings enjoying Halloween, plus it's only once a year. Due to our experience with this and maybe even if one of my kiddos didn't have food allergies we would probably still participate in this wonderful project as my mom worked for an Allergy & Asthma specialist doctor for about 12 years. So growing up, I had learned quite a bit about allergies whether they be seasonal, environmental or food allergies.
Take the Pledge!
Join my family and take the Teal Pumpkin Project Pledge for a healthier and safer Halloween for ALL! Having little toys instead of just candy can even save you quite a bit of money. We have a busy neighborhood full of children and they also come in car loads from surrounding neighborhoods. You can go to the dollar store and get little toys like army men, yo-yo's and so much more! We spent about $50-70 on candy last year to be passed out at our house! That's how many children come through here. There is also still time to make little goodie bags with a few small toys and maybe even some Gimbal's Fine Candies which are allergy safe.
We aren't going to be home for trick or treating but I like this idea! I think it's easier to give out little gift bags than candy even.
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