This Halloween, ‘trick or treaters’ may be greeted by more than the usual scary sights and sounds in Michigan.
Many homes will have teal colored pumpkins on their doorsteps.
The teal pumpkins are a sign that that house will be handing out special treats to children with food allergies.
Veronica LaFamina is with the group ‘Food Allergy Research and Education’ or FARE. She says one in 13 children have a serious food allergy.
“Halloween in definitely a tricky time for families who are managing (allergies),” says LaFamina. She says it’s difficult for “(Parents) wanting their kids to have the same fun experiences as their friends, but knowing that the candy, really, in most cases, isn’t an option.”
LaFamina says the parents of children with food allergies usually have to throw away most of the candy their children get because they contain peanuts or other ingredients the kids are allergic to.
“The great thing about non-food treats is that they really are inclusive of kids with life threatening food allergies, but also other kids who may not be able to have candy as an option,” says LaFamina.
The teal pumpkin campaign started in Tennessee last year and is expanding nationwide this Halloween.
Copyright 2014 Michigan Radio
