M&Ms, candy corn, and those yummy Reese’s pumpkins…oh my! If you survey your friends, most likely they have a favorite Halloween goody, and often, there are strong opinions on which is best to pass out to the little trick-or-treaters. What’s flying under the radar in all of these conversations is the roughly 1 in 13 kids who opt out of most Halloween sweets because they just can’t be sure that their candy haul is free of their food allergen.

Enter FARE—Food Allergy Research & Education—an organization with a mission to improve the quality of life for kids (and adults!) with food allergies. You may have heard of their Teal Pumpkin Project, and we’re here to tell you it might just be great for everyone!

As moms, you probably know about the surreptitious candy dump straight into the trash can, or the more eco-friendly candy donation. The sheer amount of sugary snacks our kids get during the Halloween season could fuel a sugar high all the way to Easter. 

The Teal Pumpkin Project encourages our neighbors to hand out non-food treats because people with allergies can’t always be sure of exactly what’s in the candy they get. Think things like glow sticks, fidget toys, spider rings or pencils. FARE points out these items can cost the same as you’d spend on candy, and unlike food treats, can be used year after year. For the kids, these trinkets tend to stand out because they’re different from what they’ve gotten at other houses. And for kids with food allergies, they are something they can actually enjoy!

If you can’t give up giving out candy entirely, you could try both. Just separate the food and non-food treats. But if you try the non-edible knicknacks, you might just find you like them better as well!

You can find out more info on the Teal Pumpkin Project here: https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/teal-pumpkin-project

NoCo Moms Group is a not-for-profit 501(c)(7) social group made up of moms who live in or own a business or property in the Norton Commons neighborhood. For more information, go to: nocomoms.wildapricot.org/join-us