It may not be your traditional way of decorating for Halloween, but three-year-old Austen knows exactly why he’s painting a pumpkin teal.
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FARE or Food Allergy Research and Education, the National Advocacy Organization started the Teal Pumpkin Project previous year for raising awareness about those children who have life-threatening and serious food allergies, so that they feel included during this holiday.
Westerleigh resident Diane Pilatsky, a mother of three, said that two of her daughters have gluten and dairy sensitivities. But, for children with allergies, it can be a source of anxiety and disappointment. “I will offer both candy and non-candy treats and will hang a sign informing trick-or-treaters”.
She added that Halloween is something that everybody should enjoy, thus it was vital for her as a parent to come up with something and to offer something that can be enjoyed by everybody. Also on the food allergen alert list, although not necessarily in Halloween candies, are items containing fish and shellfish. It is helpful in providing non-food treats for trick-or-treaters.
She added that she always gives small water bottles on Halloween and they are always happily received by the children and their parents.
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A few examples of low-priced non-food treats could be: glow sticks, stickers, toy cars or costume jewelry. FARE has an aim of compelling 100,000 households to take part this year by just putting teal-colored pumpkins on their porch or lawn to signify that they have non-food treats available for those who can not eat candies.
