What's Happening

Normally teal pumpkins aren’t associated with traditional Halloween colors and décor. But for the 15 million Americans who have food allergies, the Teal Pumpkin Project represent inclusion and safety. Over the last few years this movement has gained popularity with Daybreak residents displaying a teal pumpkin on their porch to signal that they have safe, non-food options for trick-or-treaters.

Teal Pumpkin Project

Image courtesy of FARE.

What is the Teal Pumpkin Project? “The Teal Pumpkin Project was inspired by a local awareness activity run by the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee (FACET) and launched as a national campaign by FARE in 2014. The Teal Pumpkin Project encourages people to raise awareness of food allergies and promotes inclusion of all trick-or-treaters throughout the Halloween season,” according to the FARE website.
The steps to participate are:

  1. Provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters.
  2. Place a teal pumpkin – the color of food allergy awareness –in front of your home to indicate you have non-food treats available.
  3. Display a free printable sign from FARE to explain the meaning of your teal pumpkin.

Daybreak residents’ Rachael Evans and Tamye Conley Stanley both participated in the Teal Pumpkin Project last Halloween and are looking forward to participating again.

Teal Pumpkin Project

Rachael Evans’ home decorated for Halloween.

When asked why she participates, Rachael responded “My passion in nursing lies in pediatrics, so I have a special place in my heart for kids. When you get your first kid that says, ‘Mom, they have stuff I can have.’ That makes the extra cost worth it.”
Tamye’s family participates because they have several different food allergies. “It’s insane when you realize that there seems to be a bit of everything, in everything.” She also loves promoting healthy eating and thinks the cause promotes options that can help combat childhood obesity.
Will you be participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year?

COMPARISON

20 Years Bold

We’re commemorating two decades of Daybreak. Join us in taking a look back — and a look forward.

Let's Celebrate
Daybreak 20 Years Celebration