ROCHESTER, N.Y. — With Halloween coming up this week, families are gearing up for trick-or-treaters, but those with food allergies have to plan for alternatives to make the celebration safe for everyone. From non-food treats like glow sticks and stickers to allergen-free candy options, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a worry-free Halloween.

What You Need To Know

  • The Teal Pumpkin Project started in east Tennessee to make Halloween inclusive for kids with food allergies

  • A teal pumpkin signals that non-food treats are available, allowing kids with allergies to trick-or-treat safely

  • Families can use FoodAllergy.org’s map to find teal pumpkin homes and add their location to participate in the project

The Teal Pumpkin Project started more than a decade ago in east Tennessee with a mission to make Halloween more inclusive for children with food allergies. The initiative, which began as a local effort, gained nationwide recognition after partnering with major retailers like CVS. As a result, non-food treats became more readily available, allowing children with allergies to enjoy Halloween without worrying about their health.

"Have a teal pumpkin, whether it's a real teal pumpkin or a plastic teal pumpkin, or even a picture of a teal pumpkin, and put it out in front of your house. That just lets trick-or-treaters know that you have non-food items as a trick-or-treat prize," said Kelly Cleary, senior director of education and support programs with the nonprofit Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).

Finding homes with teal pumpkins is also easy, thanks to FARE’s interactive map on FoodAllergy.org. By typing in your location, you can quickly identify nearby homes offering non-food treats, making it easier to plan an allergy-safe trick-or-treat route. For those interested in joining the project, participation is simple — just click "Add My Location" on the website and make your home a teal pumpkin stop.