More teal pumpkins may be appearing on doorsteps around the Stateline this Halloween season. Do you know what they mean?

When you think Halloween, you think candy! All kids love candy, but for some, candy is not an option. Did you know that many children cannot participate in the Halloween tradition of trick-or -treating, because of food allergies?

The Teal Pumpkin Project was started in 2014 to ensure that all trick-or-treaters can enjoy the Halloween holiday, safely.

Teal Pumpkin Project
FoodAllergy.org
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The Teal Pumpkin Project, hopes to change all that. Their goal is provide an alternative for children with food allergies along with other children "for whom candy is not an option"

It works like this, homeowners can purchase inexpensive non-food treats, like glow sticks, bubbles, coloring books, crayons, and other small toys to pass out to children. Then, paint a pumpkin teal color and prominently displaying the teal pumpkin on the porch.

This year the Teal Pumpkin Project's goal is to have at least one home on every block in the U.S. with a teal pumpkin.

In Rochelle, there is a Facebook Group dedicated to having residents participate in the program, and asking local households to sign up so they can let parents of children, who cannot have candy, know where the Teal Pumpkin houses are for Halloween.

More communities are also beginning to organize. Why the color teal? Teal represents allergy awareness. Placing a teal colored pumpkin in front of your home will let parents and children know you have non-food treats available.

Here's more information:

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