This Friday is a big holiday for kids young and old: Halloween! While there are many ways to join in on the fun from costume contests to candy galore, there are nasty tricks to many treats that could ruin all the fun for kids with food allergies, sensitivities, intolerances, and other dietary restrictions.


This year, advocates, parents, and communities alike are banding together and giving Halloween a teal-tinged makeover to raise awareness of these very dietary challenges and promote an inclusive atmosphere so that everyone can join in on the fun. FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education), a leading food allergy advocacy group spearheaded the Teal Pumpkin Project campaign this year to bring allergen awareness from coast to coast. 

Making Halloween safe for everyone does not take a lot of money or effort. Simply providing some non-food party favors such as any of the items listed in the image below, provide trick or treaters a fun option that is unique and will not disappoint. To me, few things are worse and more isolating than coming to an event where there are no edible options and having watch others devour food I cannot. I cannot imagine having to go through the childhood ritual of trick-or treating now that I’m gluten and dairy free and am thankful that food allergic and intolerant kids can find treats instead of tricks at houses with teal pumpkins out front indicating their allergen-aware status.


For more information on how to adapt for a allergen aware Halloween, check out this great page on FARE’s website that fully details the Teal Pumpkin Project.

From FARE’s teal pumpkin project website