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The Teal Pumpkin Project – Taking a Halloween Bite Out of Food Allergies

20 Oct 2014 By: Diane Gottsman

The Teal Pumpkin Project - Taking a Halloween Bite Out of Food Allergies by Diane Gottsman National Etiquette Expert and Modern Manners Authority

Support The Teal Pumpkin Project

In a couple of weeks many of us will be offering treats to excited trick-or-treaters knocking on our doors. This Halloween I’m doing something special. I am inspired by FARE (Food Allergy and Research Education), an initiative to remember the children who suffer with various food allergies.

Veronica LaFemina, spokeswoman for Food Allergy Research & Educations states, “The Teal Pumpkin Project is an easy way to make a big impact in your community. Food allergies can be life-threatening, and they affect 1 in 13 children in the United States. We are thrilled to see so many people embracing the Teal Pumpkin Project as a way to ensure kids with food allergies can enjoy a safe, fun Halloween experience just like their friends. That moment when you see a child get to have a treat that they don’t have to trade out or give away is really something special.” I agree!

My own daughter has a severe food allergy, and as a parent, I know what it’s like to worry about unintentional contact. While we are diligent with her food intake, there are no guarantees as to where the exposure may lurk. Halloween is a major source of excitement, and also an equal cause for concern. Most people don’t realize the danger for children with various food allergies.

Paint a pumpkin teal in support of The Teal Pumpkin Project, and place it in front of your house as a sign to those who pass by that you are offering non-food items for trick-or-treaters. Additionally, a flyer can be printed and handed out to friends and family to join and support the movement. For those of you wondering why the color teal was chosen, according to FARE, it is the color of food allergy awareness.

FARE’s website suggests giving these items as an alternative to candy:

  • Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces
  • Pencils, pens, crayons or markers
  • Bubbles
  • Halloween erasers or pencil toppers
  • Mini Slinkies
  • Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers
  • Bouncy balls
  • Finger puppets or novelty toys
  • Coins
  • Spider rings
  • Vampire fangs
  • Mini notepads
  • Playing cards
  • Bookmarks
  • Stickers
  • Stencils

Please take a look at their website and consider joining in the fun! And, if you wish, you can still hand out candy to those who are non-allergic!

For more of Diane’s thoughts on etiquette related topics, connect with her on The Huffington Post.

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.