The Teal Pumpkin Project, created by the nonprofit organization Food Allergy Research and Education, aims to encourage people to hand out nonfood items, according to the Columbian.
Homeowners can signal that nonfood treats are available for children with allergies by placing teal pumpkins outside their homes, either painted or artificial.
The organization officially launched the national campaign in 2014. According to the project's website, various households in all 50 states participated, as well as homes in 14 countries. The website also features an interactive map that indicates which households are participating in the project.
According to the organization, food allergies affect 5 percent to 8 percent of children, or about one in 13 kids, in the U.S. The most common food allergies among children are cow's milk and eggs. Other allergies, such as peanut and tree nut allergies, do not tend to develop until about one year of age or later.