FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project Returns This Halloween Season, Helping Children with Food Allergy Get to Experience the Magic of Halloween

McLEAN, Va.—Sept. 22, 2026— Halloween is one of the defining experiences of childhood, running through the neighborhood with friends, picking out treats, and being part of it all. But for millions of children with food allergy, trick-or-treating and other Halloween activities can be isolating, leaving them unable to eat much of what's offered, separated from friends, or forcing them to disclose their disease at every door.

FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project^TM aims to change that by encouraging homes of all types and sizes, as well as businesses, schools and community events, to provide non-food treats for trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treat events or other Halloween festivities and signal their participation with a teal pumpkin on display. 

"Families already spend so much of their time thinking about what can and cannot be safely eaten, helping reduce that burden by providing non-food treats is a worthy consideration,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of FARE. “This Halloween, we hope that everyone will consider the children and families in their communities who are living with food allergy and help preserve childhood experiences that should be focused on fun and connection by participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project. This year, Community Captains can help carry that grassroots spirit from individual doorsteps into neighborhoods, schools and community events.”  

Why Non-Food Treats
Typical Halloween treats often include common allergens. Even treats that may be considered safe in their full-size versions can carry hidden risks in their miniature or "fun-size" versions. These products may be manufactured in different facilities, made with slightly different formulations than their full-size counterparts, or may not carry ingredient labeling. Non-food treats such as stickers, spider rings and glow sticks are comparable in price to traditional candy and widely available.

Be a Teal Pumpkin Project Community Captain
Building on the Teal Pumpkin Project’s grassroots beginnings among food allergy families, FARE is inviting Teal Pumpkin Project participants to serve as Community Captains to help extend the project’s reach by encouraging neighbors, schools, businesses and community event organizers to display a teal pumpkin and provide non-food treats during Halloween activities.  

There’s no single way to serve as a Community Captain. FARE provides a free toolkit with outreach templates, ready-to-use resources, and a quick start guide to help participants get involved.

FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project Interactive Map
The Teal Pumpkin Project webpage features an interactive participation map [hyperlink] that helps families identify homes and events offering non-food treats before Halloween night. In past years, the Teal Pumpkin Project map has featured thousands of participants across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 13 countries outside the United States. The map helps food allergy families to plan activities and trick-or-treating routes in advance by identifying participating homes and events before Halloween.

Join FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project; become a Teal Pumpkin Community Captain; enter your home or event on FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project Map (coming soon); or support the initiative with a donation here. For more information, visit our website here.