The Teal Pumpkin Project and Food Allergy Awareness in Louisville, KY

What’s the Deal with Teal this Halloween? Decorative pumpkins can be found everywhere this time of
year.  If you walk onto someone’s porch
this Fall and see a teal pumpkin take note, this pumpkin is not just a fashion
statement , it is part of new initiative this Halloween called the Teal Pumpkin
Project to support those with food allergies. 
The project, which was started by a Tennessee-based food allergy group
and now being promoted by FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education),
encourages families to offer non-food treats for food allergic
trick-or-treaters.  Displaying a teal
pumpkin indicates that the house offers non-food treats and is supporting an
allergy-friendly Halloween. 

It is estimated that 1 in 13 children has a food allergy,
with many of those children at-risk for a life-threatening reaction.  Many Halloween candies contain allergens that
could trigger a reaction.  The Teal
Pumpkin Project aims to keep children safe and suggests offering non-food
treats to your allergic trick-or-treaters so they too can have a fun and safe
evening.  Good non-food options include
stickers, pencils, tattoos, rubber balls or other small novelty items you can
find in bulk at dollar stores, party stores or even online at sites like Oriental Trading Company.
Our daughter has a life-threatening allergy to all nuts so
we will be proudly displaying our teal pumpkin and offering safe treats for
those who have food allergies.  We know
first hand how stressful Halloween can be and the Teal Pumpkin Project is a
great way to support families who are dealing with food allergies on a very
treat-filled holiday.  To learn more
about the Teal Pumpkin Project or to download a sign to display with your teal pumpkin
that shows you are participating in the project this Halloween click
here
.
Louisville is also offering another great Halloween option
for those with Food Allergies.  Annie
May’s Sweet Café a nut, soy and gluten free bakery on Frankfort Ave. will be
hosting an Allergen Free Halloween Party on Friday, October 24th
from 4:00-8:00pm.  Attendees can come in
costume and enjoy vegan and allergen free funnel cakes, desserts, soft
pretzels, and candy. They will also have allergen free corn dogs.  To get more details on this event or this
great allergy-friendly café click here.
By guest contributor: Tami

DCPD
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