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What’s the significance of teal? It is the color of food allergy awareness. You see, this isn’t just about Gluten Intolerance, Celiac Disease, or Wheat Allergy. It’s about ALL allergies. It’s about allowing kids to be kids and go trick-or-treating without worrying about going into anaphylactic shock from something they receive. It’s about kids getting to enjoy all their loot and giving their parents an extra measure of something they often lack with a child who has allergies — peace of mind. It’s about creating a memorable Halloween in your community — in a good way! 😀 Let’s join together to make this Halloween safe and fun for every kid participating! |
Halloween is quickly approaching, which means there will be kids all over the United States who are going to have their candy haul severely depleted after Mom and Dad go through and find all the “safe” candy. You see, this is reality for 1 in every 13 children here in the US.
Can you imagine going through the fun of trick-or-treating and not having the satisfaction of enjoying your loot? I’m pretty sure it’s a major bummer for the kids who don’t get to rake in the candy for the sheer excitement of raking in candy.
Let’s imagine you were a six year-old little girl who happened to have a peanut allergy. You are thrilled about dressing up as Elsa for Halloween this year, and all you receive at the houses where you went trick-or-treating were Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. That would be pretty disappointing wouldn’t it? You wouldn’t want to, but you would have to just “Let it Go.” (I know. I just couldn’t help myself!)
I have found the solution. The great folks at Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee (FACET) came up with an idea a couple of years ago to communicate which houses have SAFE non-food items for trick-or-treaters. You paint a pumpkin teal. Simple as that. Now, I’m sure you’re thinking, Olivia, What do I do after that?
Well, you place the pumpkin on your porch or sidewalk, and you proceed to fill your treat bowl with NON-FOOD treats for the trick-or-treaters. What kinds of non-food treats, you ask? The folks over at Food Allergy Research & Education have some GREAT ideas, so check that out! I’m sharing one of their infographics below!
Love,
Olivia
Livie's Gone Gluten Free 