Teal Pumpkins Help Raise Awareness For Trick-Or-Treaters With Food Allergies
By John McDevitt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The advocacy group Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) is asking people across the country to participate in the "Teal Pumpkin Project" this Halloween.
You can print out a flier and hang it in your window, or paint a pumpkin the color of food allergies awareness --teal.
It lets trick-or-treaters with food allergies know there are other non-food treats available like crayons and toys.
Jean Kintisch of Wayne runs a food allergy support group called "Feast of the Main Line." She also has a 10-year-old daughter with life threatening food allergies.
"She is currently allergic to peanuts and tree nuts."
Kintisch says it's tough telling kids they could get sick or die if they eat something they're allergic too:
"It is hard to do without completely freaking your kid out. So it's a delicate balance that we talk a lot about in our support group. you know, that educating your child to be their own advocate to ask the questions in restaurants, to ask the questions on the soccer field, you know, to read the labels."
Jill Lynch is from Cheltenham and teaches third grade in the Upper Dublin School District. She also has a son with nut allergies. She says she hopes the "Teal Pumpkin Project" will become a popular practice:
"I think that people who don't have children with allergies don't honestly put a lot of though into it they just go out and by a big bag of candy at the store when they see and there is also the thought that's another expense. I think it's a wonderful idea and I hope it takes off."
Kintisch adds the project is another way to have kids with food allergies feel included.
