Happy Fall and Happy Halloween!
As we watch the leaves change and feel the cooler weather coming, kids and adults alike are gearing up for Halloween, even though it might look and feel a little different this year!
Halloween is such a joyful time for many kids and their families, but as many of our patients and their families know, it can also be a stressful time for those with food allergies. Many popular Halloween candies contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy or wheat, which are some of the most common allergens.
One initiative that Schreiber Allergy can certainly support is the Teal Pumpkin Project! This fantastic project raises food allergy awareness by offering the option of non-food trinkets and toys in a separate, teal!, bowl or pumpkin, thus making Halloween safer and more inclusive. This project originated in 2012 and is now embraced by the food allergy community. That teal bowl or pumpkin filled with non-food treats welcomes food allergic kids to your home or yard, letting them know that what they get will be safe.
Even though COVID might curtail traditional trick-or-treating this year, it doesn’t need to mess up having fun, dressing up, and staying safe!
FARE (Food Allergy Research Education) offers some great resources about the Teal Pumpkin Project on their site each year, including ideas for non-food treats – glow sticks, vampire fangs, bubbles, whistles, spider rings, and mini slinkies.
Check out FARE for some more info and resources: https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/living-teal/teal-pumpkin-project
Have a wonderful and safe Halloween!