Did you see an teal pumpkins while out trick-or-treating last year around the Twin Ports? If not, you may run into some this year while you're out in the Duluth-Superior area. Here's the meaning, and some of the places you might find them this year.

These colorful Halloween decorations are part of the Teal Pumpkin Project, organized by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). The idea behind the teal pumpkins is to raise awareness about food allergies and promote/provide safe options for children that have food allergies.

According to FARE, 1 in 13 children have at least one food allergy, with 30% of children with food allergies being allergic to more than one food. The CDC says food allergies have increased by 50% among children since 1997, with peanut and tree nut allergies having more than tripled between 1997 and 2008. The Teal Pumpkin Project encourages individuals to provide non-food items for trick-or-treaters that have food allergies or intolerances.

Households interested in offering options for children with food allergies are encouraged to display a teal pumpkin to signal to families that they have safe options for children that may have allergies. If you want to participate but don't have the means to paint a pumpkin teal, you can print off posters and signs from the project's website.

Some ideas for non-food items you could give out to trick-or-treaters include:

  • Bubbles
  • Small Toys
  • Crayons
  • Stickers
  • Glow Bracelets
  • Bouncy Balls
  • Temporary Tattoos
Teal Pumpkin Project
Teal Pumpkin Project
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If you have children that have food allergies or intolerances, and you'd like some options for places to trick-or-treat that offer safe options, FARE offers an interactive map that you can search to find local participants in the program. Click on the button below to get specific addresses for these locations.

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