Will you have a teal pumpkin on your porch this Halloween?

When thinking of Halloween many things come to mind, such as vibrant orange pumpkins, witches, black cats, spooky movies, costumes, and candy, lots of candy. 

But what is this about a teal pumpkin? 

According to (“Our Leadership”) it all started with Becky Basalone, who is the Founder and Executive Director of the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee (FACET).  Roughly eight years ago she had an idea to paint a pumpkin teal to serve as food allergy awareness and provide non-food items for trick-or-treaters (Born). Teal is the color symbolizing food allergy awareness. Some examples of non-food items given are stickers, pencils, glow sticks, spider rings, and many more (“Mayo Clinic Minute: How to Keep Kids with Food Allergies Safe during Halloween”). The Food Allergy and Research Education (FARE) later found out about this amazing idea and Trademarked the Teal Pumpkin Project and has continued to focus on sharing the significance of this project to be inclusive to trick-or-treaters with allergies (O’Brien).

This is such a great way to allow those with food allergies to enjoy the Halloween celebration! 

I’ll be putting out my teal pumpkin, how about you? 

References

Born, Courtney. “Origin of the Teal Pumpkin Project – Interview with FACET’s Becky Basalone.” Allergic Living, 24 Oct. 2019, www.allergicliving.com/2014/10/23/the-origin-of-the-teal-pumpkin-project-interview-with-becky-basalone-facet.

“Mayo Clinic Minute: How to Keep Kids with Food Allergies Safe during Halloween.” Https://Newsnetwork.Mayoclinic.Org/, 25 Oct. 2018, newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-how-to-keep-kids-with-food-allergies-safe-during-halloween.

O’Brien, Robyn. “Meet the Mom Who Founded the Teal Pumpkin ProjectTM - Robyn O'Brien.” Marty Kassowitz, 30 Oct. 2018, robynobrien.com/meet-the-mom-who-founded-the-teal-pumpkin-project.

“Our Leadership.” Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee, 2020, www.joinfacet.com/our-leadership.html.