Why Are People Putting Teal Pumpkins Out for Halloween?

Paint a pumpkin teal to show trick or treaters with food allergies that you have special treats for them.

Halloween is one of the most anticipated events of the year for children. However, for those children with food allergies, trick or treating can be frustrating and even dangerous. In an effort to make Halloween more enjoyable and safer Food Alergy & Education (FARE) is encouraging communities to start a new tradition called Teal Pumpkin Project.

“This campaign encourages people to raise awareness of food allergies by providing non-food treats for trick-or-treaters and painting a pumpkin teal – the color of food allergy awareness – to place in front of their house along with a free printable sign from FARE to indicate they have non-food treats available.” (FARE)

I am absolutely thrilled to learn about such a great campaign for children with allergies and can really relate in my neighborhood. When I moved into my new home last October I was so excited to meet all of our neighbors. While introducing ourselves to the neighbors to the right, I noticed their daughter was wearing an allergy bracelet. I was informed that Danielle has severe allergies to latex and dairy. Being so close to Halloween I knew I wanted to make trick or treating special for Danielle so I found out her favorite non-dairy candies and had them all ready for her on Halloween night. I started thinking about how difficult it must be for children with food allergies to go trick or treating and was thrilled this year to learn about The Teal Pumpkin Project that is sweeping the country.

Love this campaign as well and want to spread the word? FARE created these great social graphics:

You can even change your profile picture or add this graphic to your blog:

Need some ideas for trick or treaters looking to participate in this new tradition? FARE suggests the following creative ideas:

Do you plan on participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year?

Lindsay Listanski

Lindsay is the the Director of Media Engagement for Coldwell Banker Real Estate and manages the brand’s media and social media department. She is also a licensed real estate professional. In 2017 & 2018, she was named a top 20 social influencer in the real estate industry in the annual Swanepoel 200 power rankings.

Lindsay lives in Livingston, NJ with her college sweetheart and now husband Joe and rwelcomed another Joe into her life as she became a mom in June 2016.