Halloween is a beloved holiday that allows people to get creative with costumes, decorations, and traditions. One tradition that has become popular in recent years is the teal pumpkin project. A teal pumpkin on a doorstep signals that the household offers non-food treats and trinkets for trick-or-treaters with food allergies. The teal pumpkin allows children with food allergies to participate fully in Halloween festivities. But what is the history behind this idea and what does a teal pumpkin bucket really signify?
The Origins of the Teal Pumpkin Project
The teal pumpkin project was started in 2012 by a mother named Becky Basalone from Tennessee. Basalone’s son had severe food allergies that prevented him from enjoying many of the sugary treats passed out on Halloween. Wanting her son to be able to partake in the fun like other children, she painted a pumpkin teal and placed it on her porch along with non-food items. This signaled to other parents that her house was a safe stop for children with food allergies.
The idea caught on quickly, and in 2014 the non-profit group Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) promoted the initiative on a national scale, encouraging households across America to put out teal pumpkins. Teal was chosen as the color because it represents food allergy awareness. Since then, the teal pumpkin project has grown enormously in popularity as a way to support inclusion.
What Does a Teal Pumpkin Bucket Signal?
A teal pumpkin bucket signals:
- The household offers non-food treats and toys that are safe for children with food allergies.
- All trick-or-treaters are welcome, regardless of dietary restrictions.
- The residents are allergy-aware and want to promote an inclusive, safe Halloween.
Households that participate will provide small toys, stickers, glow sticks, bookmarks, coins, spider rings, vampire fangs, and other creative non-food objects. This gives all children the opportunity to participate fully in trick-or-treating and allows kids with food allergies to feel included, not alienated.
Why Non-Food Treats?
For children with food allergies, many typical Halloween sweets pose a serious danger. Even tiny amounts of allergens can cause reactions like hives, asthma, or even life-threatening anaphylaxis. Common allergens like peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, and soy are found in most candy and chocolate. Checking ingredient labels is not always effective because minuscule cross-contamination can still occur during manufacturing.
Handing out non-food items eliminates this threat. It allows kids with food allergies to trick-or-treat without fear and parents to relax knowing their children are safe. Non-food treats also benefit children with other conditions like diabetes or Celiac disease who must follow special diets. Plus, non-food treats last longer!
Participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project
Displaying a teal pumpkin is simple:
- Buy a pumpkin and teal spray paint or acrylic paint.
- Paint the pumpkin teal and allow it to dry fully.
- Display the teal pumpkin prominently on your doorstep or in front of your house on Halloween.
- Provide non-food treats and toys along with any candy you wish to hand out.
You can also find plastic teal pumpkins at most stores if you don’t wish to paint a real one. Print out free printables or flyers from FARE to help spread the word about your teal pumpkin. Offering both candy and non-food treats allows all children, with and without allergies, to partake in the Halloween fun safely.
Benefits of the Teal Pumpkin Project
The teal pumpkin project provides many important benefits:
- Inclusion – Allows kids with food allergies to participate without being excluded.
- Safety – Eliminates the constant danger that food allergens pose.
- Awareness – Promotes education and understanding about food allergies.
- Community – Brings people together to support children in a meaningful way.
The Impact of the Teal Pumpkin Project
Since its grassroots beginnings, the teal pumpkin project has made a tremendous positive difference for families coping with food allergies. Participation and awareness have grown exponentially each year.
| Year | # of Households Participating |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 10,000 |
| 2015 | 25,000 |
| 2019 | 1.5 million |
In 2019, FARE estimated 1.5 million households took part across America. The movement continues to expand, with more and more neighborhoods taking up the tradition each Halloween. For families dealing with food allergies, this simple act of putting out a painted pumpkin brings peace of mind and belonging.
Finding Teal Pumpkins in Your Area
You can easily find houses with teal pumpkins in your neighborhood by using the free Teal Pumpkin Project Map App. Developed by FARE, this app allows households to register their teal pumpkins and then maps them for other users to view. You can search local listings nationwide and pinpoint allergy-friendly houses in your own community.
The app is available for both iPhone and Android. With it, families can easily identify which neighbors are participating before heading out to trick-or-treat. This takes much uncertainty and stress out of the experience.
Spreading the Word
You can increase participation and excitement for the teal pumpkin project in your own neighborhood by:
- Talking to neighbors and encouraging them to join in.
- Sharing information through community websites, listservs, or social media.
- Contacting local schools, youth groups, churches, and community organizations.
- Writing an article or letter to the editor for you local newspaper.
- Reaching out to grocery stores, libraries, businesses to display teal pumpkins.
Fun Teal Pumpkin Ideas
There are endless creative ways to participate in the teal pumpkin project. Here are some fun ideas to inspire you:
- Paint mini pumpkins teal and use as decorations.
- Make teal pumpkin cookies or cupcakes to give out.
- Host an allergy-friendly Halloween party with activities, games, and prizes.
- Add a teal pumpkin flag, banner, or wreath to your house.
- Paint pens, pencils or Halloween stamps teal to hand out.
- Make homemade spider rings, vampire fangs, or bat necklaces as toys.
- Give out plastic spider rings, whistles, mini slinkies, mini puzzles, crayons.
- Hand out play dough, mini Lego sets, superhero figures, or bouncing balls.
Let your creativity go wild! The teal pumpkin project is meant to be fun and inclusive, so take inspiration as you join in.
Conclusion
The teal pumpkin project is transforming Halloween into a safer, more inclusive holiday for the millions of children living with food allergies. By providing non-food treats and toys, households can ensure all kids feel welcome and supported in their neighborhoods. Displaying a teal pumpkin has become a universal symbol of food allergy awareness and community solidarity. With participation growing every year, the teal pumpkin project brings us one step closer to a world where no child feels left out or excluded.
