MANSFIELD, Ohio — Two Mansfield moms are joining an international movement launched by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) in 2014–the Teal Pumpkin Project. The project goal is to raise awareness of food allergies and promote inclusion of all trick-or-treaters during the Halloween season.
To accommodate children with food allergies, Kristy Hatfield and Dagny Campbell will have a “trade station” at Hatfield’s home, located at 763 Dickson Parkway in Mansfield, Thursday evening during trick-or-treat. At this trade station, trick-or-treaters can exchange a piece of candy for a nonfood treat.
“We have bookmarks, key chains, lots of fun stuff,” Campbell said.
As part of the Teal Pumpkin Project, families are encouraged to provide nonfood treats for trick-or-treaters and paint a pumpkin teal to place in front of their home to indicate they have nonfood treats available.
According to the FARE website, households from 50 states and seven countries participated in the Teal Pumpkin Project last year.
Campbell’s son, Jack, has a peanut allergy, and Hatfield’s son, Crew, has a peanut allergy and tree nut allergy.
“Our ultimate goal is prevention,” Hatfield said. “We don’t want to have to use the EpiPen, and we certainly don’t want them to have to take Benadryl once a week because they’ve had exposure.”
To ensure the safety of their children, they must be mindful not only of what food items their children consume, but also of several other risk-factors.
“If I handle peanut butter and use hand sanitizer, it doesn’t take the oils off,” Hatfield said as an example.
Both Campbell and Hatfield praised St. Peter’s School, where their children currently attend kindergarten, for their support.
“The school’s been really helpful with managing their allergies in the classroom,” Campbell said.
One in every 13 children in the U.S. has a food allergy, according to FARE.
Hatfield and Campbell said they held a teal pumpkin painting party a couple weeks ago, seeing participation from other families in the Woodland neighborhood, as well as people who live in neighboring communities.
They expressed their gratitude for those who are participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project, adding that people may contact them at thetealtableco@gmail.com with regard to any questions they have.
For more information on the Teal Pumpkin Project, visit the FARE website at www.foodallergy.org.
