The Teal Pumpkin Project’s purpose is to notify trick or treaters and their parents which houses are offering “non- food” options for kids with food allergies.
Haddonfield has caught on to a national Halloween trend sweeping the country, the Teal Pumpkin Project. Not only does this project add a colorful, cool-toned pop of color to doorsteps all over town but it brings awareness to a health issue affecting an estimated 5.9 million children and adolescents in the U.S, according to the Food Allergy Research and Education website.
The project’s purpose is to notify trick or treaters and their parents which houses are offering “non- food” options for kids with food allergies. Non-food options could include glow sticks or stickers. Residents can participate by placing a teal pumpkin outside their home a week prior to Halloween to indicate their house is accommodating to those with food allergies.
“It’s a great chance to show empathy for kids with different needs. It’s a really easy, tangible project you can do with your children,” said avid supporter of the Teal Pumpkin Project, Becky Elmuccio.
Elmuccio’s daughter developed a food allergy to peanuts which inspired her to be an advocate for the Teal Pumpkin Project. Growing up, Elmuccio had to pre-plan trick-or-treat routes around her daughter, Roma’s, food allergy but since this project emerged roughly two years ago in Haddonfield, Roma has been able to go to more houses and regain a special part of her childhood she would otherwise have lost.
This year, Haddonfield continues to show teal in the spirit of Halloween in support of children with food allergies. Elmuccio encourages residents to bring awareness to children with food allergies by participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project and sharing information about it with the community. Teal pumpkins can usually be found at retailers throughout town; if not, teal pumpkins can be hand painted.
“I feel like a lot of families are participating, it’s as easy as grabbing some teal paint from any of the craft shops and having the kids paint a pumpkin,” she said.
The borough’s “trick-or-treat” hours are 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 31. For more information on the Teal Pumpkin Project and how to participate, go to tealpumpkinproject@foodallergy.org.
