Did you know 1 in every 13 children has food allergies, and this costs Americans up to 25 billion dollars per year? This Halloween, I decided to join many food-allergy aware families in the Teal Pumpkin Project.  This new idea was initiated by FARE’s (Food Allergy Research and Education) website, and it makes sense to me. I know just how emotionally and financially devastating a health crisis in your family can be, and how kids with special needs can feel very left out on holidays.  If I can make a difference while continuing the fun tradition of trick-or-treating in my neighborhood, I’m all for it.

Just like the color teal is the exact opposite of the color orange on the color-wheel, so are my treats opposite of those that contain sugars, gluten, corn, peanut, and food dye allergens.  In fact, you can’t eat them at all!

At first, I wasn’t sure what I’d be handing out.  My family isn’t rolling in dough, and a few of my first ideas were vetoed by my budget.  Adding to my dilemma, I had received these really nice bookmarks from YFU (Youth for Understanding), which is the exchange organization for whom I volunteer and host year-long students.  These bookmarks are slotted to insert the stick of a sucker.  So, I needed to find something long and skinny if I wanted to hand out these bookmarks.

Strolling through the local Dollar Tree store, I spotted packs of really cute pencils at a bargain of 12 for a dollar!  These are the perfect fit for my bookmarks.

Now, for a teal pumpkin.  Ah-ha!  I have just the thing: My “Wild Taped Pumpkin” from one of last year’s Crunchy Mom.com’s Halloween craft DIY articles.

As you can see, I’m all ready for my little ghouls and goblins to arrive!

I will be adding a sign on the front of my house, too, thanks to this handy-dandy printable poster via FARE.org.

Will you be joining FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project this year?  Leave your tips and ideas in the comments below.

Photo Credit: www.EverythingRosy.com