You may run into some teal pumpkins while out trick-or-treating with the kids this Halloween.
If you do, chances are they are on display as part of a nationwide movement called the Teal Pumpkin Project.
It was started out of a desire to keep kids with food allergies safe while still experiencing the fun of Halloween.
The campaign is led by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) and launched nationwide in 2014 after starting in Tennessee.
The idea is simple: Families that take part hand out inexpensive toys and place a teal pumpkin or a sign out front that shows non-food treats are available for trick-or-treaters.
According to FARE, one in 13 children are affected by food allergies. The organization says more than 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions, including milk, peanuts, fish and wheat.
Anyone can take part and regular candy can still be handed out.
To see a map of families in the Jacksonville area that have signed up to take part in The Teal Pumpkin Project click here and then put in your zip code.
More information about the project is available on the foodallergy.org's Teal Pumpkin Project page.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
