Teal Pumpkin Project Aims To Supply Kids With Safe Treats On Halloween
By Kristen Johanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Food allergies affect 1 in 13 children, and with trick-or-treating right around the corner, there's a movement, called the Teal Pumpkin Project, which aims to supply kids with safe treats.
Paint a pumpkin teal for Halloween night, and trick-or-treaters will know you have a non-candy item to give.
"Chances are there is a child on your block or certainly in your neighborhood, living with food allergies."
Veronica LaFemina is with FARE, the Food Allergy Research and Education, and says the idea started in Tennessee with one advocate mom trying to bring attention to the dangers.
"She had started by painting a pumpkin teal to create a conversation piece, and put it in front of her home. She realized she was getting a lot of attention that way and helping to raise awareness about food allergies."
The movement, known as the Teal Pumpkin Project started last year, and has kicked off around the country and world-wide.
Why teal? Because it's the organization's awareness color.
"At a time like this, when we are celebrating as a community, it is really nice to be able to show these kids, their communities and their neighbors care about them."