This Halloween, people are painting their pumpkins teal for a good reason. It’s a signal for kids who suffer from certain common food allergies that the house has non-food items available for visitors.

“To a child with food allergies, a teal pumpkin is a symbol of inclusion, empathy and, of course, fun,” said Lindsay Martsoff, a parent of a food allergic child.

On Trick-or-Treat people often offer biscuits, apples, peanuts, cakes and other treats that kids could be allergic to.  The teal pumpkin is a signal to kids with allergies that they can get something safe at that house.

“I absolutely love this!  Even since last year so many more people know about this and it makes my heart so very warm,” said Martsoff, who is planning to put out another teal pumpkin this year.

Items that kids love are things like glow sticks, necklaces, spider rings, bubbles, stickers, vampire fangs, and crayons. 

To get involved in the teal pumpkin project, go online and add your house to the teal pumpkin map. Parents will then know where to take their kids with allergies.

For more information on the teal pumpkin project, go to the official website sponsored by the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).