Today's DRH - The Teal Pumpkin Project
Just in time for Halloween!
I’m putting today’s Disability History Roundup event out a early so that people can get what they need to participate on the 31st!
My most vivid childhood Halloween memory is of the last year I lived in Saskatchewan (one of Canada’s prarie provinces) in the mid-80’s. I was seven years old, it was -40 degrees (that’s the same in Celcius and Fahrenheit, folks) and snowing. My mother didn’t bother with costumes. Me, my sister, and my dad, were indistinguishable from everyone else on the street that night - just three figures so bulked up in snow gear that we practically waddled from house to house, up to the end of the block, across the street, and back.
“Enough,” Dad said. “There’s candy at home.”
We didn’t want to go in…we wanted trick-or-treating candy, not candy from home.
But at least we could enjoy the candy we had. We know now that 1 of 13 children has a food allegy that makes that impossible for them. I had a friend at that time with severe food allergies, and it didn’t occurred to me until I was much older that she couldn’t enjoy Halloween candy the way I could.
Making Halloween Inclusive
In 2024, there are neighbourhoods in cities all over Canada and America where you can find houses with a sign from the Teal Pumpkin Project posted on the door, teal pumpkin containers (see video below) or even a pumpkin painted teal on the steps or porch. This signals to trick-or-treaters that non-edible Halloween treats are available there - fun that everyone can enjoy!
The Teal Pumpkin Project started in 2012 in Tennessee. Becky Basalone, the director of a local food allergy support group (FACET - Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee), suggested that families paint a pumpkin teal as a symbol that they were handing out non-edible food treats. FARE (Food Allergies and Education) loved her idea and started promoting the initiative in 2018. Read an interview with Becky about her idea and her work with FACET
Are you part of the Teal Pumpkin Project? Add your location to the official map to let people know!
Teal Pumpkin Project Resources
Candy Facts
Ideas for Non-Food Treats