Teal Pumpkin Project helps kids with food allergies participate in Halloween fun

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Orange and black are traditional colors you’ll see on all hallows eve, but a new color is joining the pack - teal.

It’s part of a movement to let kids with food allergies participate in the holiday fun.

“I think that if you have the opportunity to do something to make things a little easier and more fun where everyone can get involved," said Chastety Cooper. Cooper says she’s been handing out “alternative Halloween treats” for years, but this is the first time that she’s registered with the “Teal Pumpkin Project."

That project asks participants to place a “teal pumpkin" or a bowl on their porch, next to their normal candy container, and fill it with a treat that isn’t food. That way kids who suffer from specific food allergies can still participate in the festivities.

“I think that anything that’s different from just a bag full of candy, you know kids really appreciate that,” Cooper said.

Right now, 21 households have registered as “Teal Pumpkin Houses” in the Tri-State. Cooper says this is the first year she registered, but not the first year she’s done this

“The first year I did it was actually glow sticks kids were just super happy to get something other than candy. They didn’t have to wait to go home to eat it, they could have it right then,” said Cooper. “I think we should be more inclusive whenever we can and this is an easy opportunity to do that.”

No tricks this year, everyone gets a treat.

Copyright 2019 WFIE. All rights reserved.