Homeowners wishing to offer safe alternatives this Halloween can find a printable poster at foodallergycanada.ca/teal-pumpkin-project.
Hub Staff
An initiative launched in 2014 by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) aims to keep Halloween a fun and positive experience for everyone and Southampton’s Elly Ward would like to see more people taking part locally.
The Teal Pumpkin Project promotes safety, inclusion and respect for trick-or-treaters with food allergies by offering alternatives to the more traditional Halloween fare.
Ward has been an advocate for food safety since learning her son Hunter, now 6 years old, had a severe nut allergy. Ward said that in this area, including Owen Sound, there are only between 10 and 20 households participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project and she would like to see that number grow.
Homeowners who wish to take part can download a printable poster from the Teal Pumpkin Project page on foodallergycanada.ca to display in their window, or simply paint a pumpkin of their own. By displaying a teal pumpkin you are indicating to would-be trick-or-treaters that you are offering safe alternatives for those with food allergies.
“Not only is the Teal Pumpkin Project a fantastic opportunity for kids with life-threatening food allergies to be more included, but also for children with other medical conditions, such as diabetes,” said Ward.
Although Ward appreciates arriving at a home that is offering nut-free treats, she is also reminded that those with severe dairy allergies may also be excluded. “That’s why non-food treats are a great option for everyone,” she said, adding that it’s about the experience of trick-or-treating.
“I do understand that homeowners can choose to hand out whatever they please,” Ward said, but wondered if people might think differently if someone in their family had a life-threatening food allergy. “It’s an epidemic, with 1 in 13 having a severe food allergy,” she said.
For more information visit www.foodallergy.org/education-awareness/teal-pumpkin-project.
