Allergies: Teal Pumpkin Project

[Auspicious]

Allergy people, is this idea all it's cracked up to be? Sometimes these things are well-intentioned but impractical for A, B, and C reasons. Do you think this will work and make Halloween more inclusive?

A local mom with a nut-allergic kid posted a link to a news story about this along with a list of allergy-safe candies, but my understanding is that the intention is that a teal pumpkin out front signifies that you have non-food handouts available for the asking, but may also be giving out nut candy. That's kind of my plan--think that's okay?

http://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pump...t#.VE18gMkzBmU

[scrub-jay]

Allergies: Teal Pumpkin Project

Keep them in a separate bowl and it should be fine. And a HUGE THANKS for participating in the Teal pumpkin project. We're giving out glow sticks.

ETA: Trick-or-treating sucks for food allergic kids, we're loving this movement.

[Deebs]

We love it too! Went to a birthday party today where DD ended up in tears because she couldn't eat the cake. So many things we think of as great traditions center around food.

[scrub-jay]

We bring our own food and treats for every.single.birthday party.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Is it better to give out a toy or non allergic candy?

[scrub-jay]

Is it better to give out a toy or non allergic candy?

Non food item. Multiple food allergies are not uncommon and finding a candy that would be safe for every food allergic kid that comes to your door is nearly impossible.

[alotofyarn]

I was wondering about this too. Do I need to actually paint a pumpkin, or can I just put the sign out? Do I need to do it in advance, since it'll be dark out? Do I even have to do the teal pumpkin thing? Last year we had so few trick or treaters, but I bought some more candy this year (a wide variety, because that's what I like and some of it works with various allergies/sensitivities), plus I bought a pack of pencils for any kids who can't have the candy at all.

[scrub-jay]

I was wondering about this too. Do I need to do it in advance, since it'll be dark out? Do I even have to do the teal pumpkin thing? Last year we had so few trick or treaters, but I bought some more candy this year (a wide variety, because that's what I like and some of it works with various allergies/sensitivities), plus I bought a pack of pencils for any kids who can't have the candy at all.

I've heard this same thing from a few people now - why can't they just sell a plastic teal pumpkin to make it easy?! I've been suggesting that you just go on the site, print out one of the free posters and put it on your door.

ETA: My teal pumpkin looks like a 4 year old painted a pumpkin with kid paint because, well, that's exactly what happened. Nothing too fancy over here.

[Pollyanna]

Our neighborhood has a bunch of food allergic kiddos so it seems a lot of folks are on board. I have a large variety of fun toys in one basket and then traditional candy in another. The pumpkin patches are selling teal pumpkins and are sold out everyday

[scrub-jay]

Our neighborhood has a bunch of food allergic kiddos so it seems a lot of folks are on board. I have a large variety of fun toys in one basket and then traditional candy in another. The pumpkin patches are selling teal pumpkins and are sold out everyday

I wish I lived in your neighborhood! Ours has one teal pumpkin. Our own.

[Sheherezade]

They are also painting pumpkins teal to raise awareness of ovarian cancer...at least they were showing samples on the OROC page online. Just beware!


Angie

[Thirteen]

I just bought an absolute crap ton of candy and dollar spot toys/stickers/etc at Target. I also got a white plastic pumpkin and tomorrow I'm going to get some teal spray paint. Thanks for this thread! I was planning on getting the non food stuff anyway but I hadn't heard of the teal pumpkin project.

You make me smile!


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[MarissaNicole]

We don't get trick or treaters but I'm totally doing stickers or toys from oriental trading company at our next home. Kids get enough candy and I'd rather give something that won't be harmful with kids with food allergies.

Wife of a PGY-5

[Gail_Sandison]

I am British but lived my first 6 years in America and obviously went trick or treating with my 3older siblings. I have crohns disease and can't have so many different types of foods (including chocolate, milk, anything with cream in plus certain fruits)its at times like this when, ok, I have never known any different and I have accepted it now! But glad people are thinking about how a child can feel so left out if they have any medical conditions.maybe a few small inexpensive toys-was my substitute. Like a colouring book? However if you not opening the door like us British have to (or the first callers would take the whole container)and ask for money! Why did my father ever come back he asks himself frequently!

[Gail_Sandison]

Oh sorry, I didn't see others had had same thoughts as me. Sorry about that!