Teal Pumpkin Project offers alternatives for trick-or-treaters with food allergies
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ALAMO, Tenn. — Food allergies prevent some kids from enjoying candy on Halloween. A new national campaign called the Teal Pumpkin Project aims to include all trick-or-treaters and provide alternatives for kids with food allergies. “It can kill him,” Melissa Edwards, of Alamo, said. “It’s serious.” Edwards has a nephew with a peanut allergy. She put a teal pumpkin on her porch to let parents know they have candy for kids with food allergies. “Just to be safe we will have a separate bowl for our gluten-free and nut-free candy just so there‘s no way that it can become cross contaminated,” Edwards said. The Teal Pumpkin Project raises awareness about food allergies and provides treats that are safe for everyone. “We like for all children to be able to participate,” Sara Moore, of Alamo, said. Moore and her husband started selling pumpkins in Alamo 18 years ago. This year for the first time they have a teal pumpkin at the patch. “We painted it so that people will know when they pull in here that we have the gluten free and allergy free candy available,” Moore said. LIFT Wellness Center dietitian Nicole Hancock said new labeling laws make it easier for parents who have kids with a gluten allergy. “If something is on there that you are not 100 percent sure about what it is, do not let the child have it,” she said. Edwards said finding candy for kids with allergies is tough. She hopes to make it easier. “It’s kind of not fair, and we wanted them to have the opportunity to enjoy the fun and have candy that they could eat,” she said. Edwards said they also plan to have toy items for kids with diabetes.
