10/18/2026
"My name is Cole Kim, and I am a junior at Darien High School in Connecticut. For the second year in a row, I am participating with FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) and the Teal Pumpkin Project. I’ve had an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts and tree nuts my whole life, and they’ve shaped the way I experience everyday things, especially holidays like Halloween. I’ve been hospitalized twice after accidentally eating foods that had cross-contact with nuts. The second time it took three rounds of epinephrine to save my life. For kids growing up like me, trick-or-treating can be stressful because even candy that seems safe carries the risk of cross-contact.
The Teal Pumpkin Project encourages families to give out non-food treats like stickers, small toys, or glow sticks and to place a teal pumpkin outside to show they’re allergy-friendly. It’s a simple idea, but one that can make Halloween safer and more inclusive.
One issue I found is that houses that volunteer to be part of the Teal Pumpkin Project are often far apart. Parents sometimes have to drive their kids from one side of town to another just to find a few safe place to stop, which can turn a fun night into a stressful one. Last year, I organized 15 houses in my surrounding neighborhood to participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project, all within walking distance of each other. Kids with allergies could trick-or-treat safely, and parents didn’t have to drive around searching for safe homes. I’m grateful to my neighbors who joined last year. Their support helped turn our streets into a safe, inclusive place for kids with allergies, and with their help again this year, I hope to make Halloween a stress-free and fun night for even more families.
This year I am aiming to get 30+ houses to participate, all within walking distance of each other. I want to make Halloween even safer and more fun for kids with food allergies and create an environment for them to celebrate just like their friends. I hope teens like me can join me in their towns to do the same." - Cole Kim
Add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project Map! https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/teal-pumpkin-project/map