Janel Mann, a local parent whose three-year-old son Maclaren has a peanut allergy, is hoping other parents will join her in making trick or treating inclusive for all kids.
The goal of Food Allergy Research & Education's Teal Pumpkin Project is to help ensure all children "come home on Halloween night with something they can enjoy."
The first teal pumpkin Halloween was inspired by a local awareness campaign by Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee. FARE picked up on the campaign and launched their national project in 2014. Since then households from 14 countries have participated in the movement that works to bring awareness and inclusion of children with allergies to Halloween and trick or treating.
Last year was the first time Mann heard about the Teal Pumpkin Project, but she was unable to participate because she was in the hospital following the birth of her second child.
"We didn't really get to do it last year, so this year he's excited for it," Mann says.
This year she even got the pumpkins early so there won't be any unforeseen complications.
Mann also notes that although Maclaren has a peanut allergy, the campaign is for children with any type of allergy to be included while trick or treating.
This year the Mann family will be supporting the movement by having neighbours and their kids over before Halloween to carve and paint their pumpkins teal. They will also have their FARE signs up for any visitors who are curious about the unusually coloured pumpkins.
People participating in the campaign can go onto FARE's website (foodallergy.org) and make a pledge to provide non-food treats and download signs, in addition to painting a pumpkin teal, to raise awareness and let others know they support the project. Instead of just candy, the Teal Pumpkin Project asks people to offer an alternative to food treats, such as "glow sticks or small toys." Mann suggests offering treats such as stickers, bracelets, bouncy balls or Playdoh.
