CASSELBERRY, Fla. – A new pumpkin project is making trick-or-treating less stressful for children with allergies and making teal the new orange this Halloween.
[WEB EXTRA: More info on pumpkin project ]
Children can have allergies to common ingredients found in candy, like eggs, dairy and nuts. Last year, the Food Allergy Research and Education nonprofit began the Teal Pumpkin Project. Teal pumpkins are used as a sign for trick-or-treaters that homes are giving out non-food items instead of candy.
"I was really excited because now there is a way to full on provide people with awareness for kids with allergies during the holiday," said Yolonda Tyler, owner of Amaya Papaya and mother of a 9-year-old with a dairy allergy.
To get involved, households can place teal pumpkins outside their front door and offer creative treats on Halloween.
"You can even go get something as easy as party favors and give those out as trick-or-treat goodies, because kids just like things to fill their bags with for Halloween," Tyler said.
Participants can also print out a poster for their front door instead of painting a pumpkin. Tyler also adds that the project is not only about awareness and safety.
"Kids get so excluded nowadays for everything, so it's nice to educate your kids about kids with differences; that's what it's all about," Tyler said.