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Halloween is known for many things -- witches, zombies, tooth decay -- but environmentalism isn't among them. Just consider all the candy purchased, each tiny piece individually wrapped, of course. (Guilty.) And then a good portion of each haul is fated to be discreetly tossed out by concerned parents. (Still guilty.) And then there's all those plastic orange jack-o'lantern bags clogging up the landfills. (Sigh....guilty. Again.)
Some parents are trying to change all that -- and many businesses are happy to help by creating organic "green" treats. After all, if you're striving to eat mindfully and be environmentally aware throughout the rest of the year, why forsake those values on October 31?
"I just feel like candy is unnecessary," Jennifer Boyd-Mullineaux, mother of two children, ages 7 and 9, told MSNBC. "You see the incredible volumes of candy collected -- knowing that no one should eat that much -- and it just goes into the trash. It just doesn't seem responsible to us."
It's hardly a shocking trend, given how the organic food movement has exploded, even during a recession. Whole Foods is among the throng of stores selling trick-or-treat-sized organic options this year -- non-candy items like Annie's Homegrown fruit snacks and EnviroKidz snack bars. But for those parents who want to take it a step further, Green Halloween offers tips for avoiding the consumer food fight altogether. Just keep in mind that while some ideas sound like potential hits (art supplies, stickers, bean bags), others, well...don't. (Acorns? Really?)
As for how to transport that healthy haul, companies like Envirosax and ChicoBag are stepping up with reusable bags designed for trick-or-treating. But parents, be forewarned: that Envirosax bag can hold 44 pounds of candy. Yikes.
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10-24-2010 @9:22PM Enough Already said... Wow! Another "organic" item that is overpriced and people buy thinking it is better. What a joke!
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10-24-2010 @9:40PM Jodi said... Way to suck all the fun out of Halloween! Remember back in the good old days when you got dressed up and your parents actually let you eat the candy you got? I get that organic is supposed to be "better for you" but it's Halloween for crying out loud. Let the kids be kids---fill them up with all the organic crap you want in November.
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10-26-2010 @6:40PM linda said... You can thank Big Brother for that! We can't eat what we want anymore.
10-24-2010 @11:06PM exoticdoc2 said... More over-hyped enviro panic nonsense. Go out, have fun, enjoy Halloween guilt free without any major changes.
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10-24-2010 @10:30PM Mimi said... I have purchased these before and I did not like them, they have an odd taste.
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10-24-2010 @11:06PM Cindy said... I give out money. Back in the 1950's, some people would give out a penny or two instead of candy. I always thought that it was a neat idea. Forward to the 21st century... I've compared the prices of candy, pretzels, chips, etc. and decided to give out three nickels (15 cents). I wrap the coins in two small squares of orange and green tissue paper, gather it at the top, then tie the gathered top with a piece of green yarn. I then stamp a jack-o-lantern face on the bottom. The kids are somewhat puzzled by it at first until they realize what it is....and they love it!! Every one can use money and I know that it won't be tossed out either. I've done this for the last few years and both the kids and their parents seem to appreciate it.
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10-24-2010 @11:08PM lm said... It seems that the author of this article has two concerns about Halloween - the amount of candy her children collect and the use of plastic bags to collect the treats. Several 'common sense' suggestions follow:
- Limit the number of houses that your children go to - fewer houses - less candy.
- Don't limit the number of houses - but take the bulk of the candy and freeze it. Establish a rule, such as 1-piece of candy per week or every two weeks - whatever works for your family.
- If you never allow your children candy - check with retirement or nursing homes - they might be very happy to have it- there are many seniors that would like a piece of candy, in moderation, but due to being on limited incomes - isn't something they buy.
Concerning the use of 'plastic' bags - do what many of us did when we were children - use a pillow case(small-child size) - they can be decorated(a fun,family project) and they can be reused.
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10-24-2010 @11:26PM Mary Rose said... I'm giving out pretzels and Nestle crunch bars. Figure the kids and substitute them for cereal in a pinch.
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10-25-2010 @12:14AM Gia said... This has got to be a joke! We can't afford healthy, organic foods for our families let alone to pass out to trick or treaters! We won't even be passing out anything this year because things are so bad here in the Detroit area. The old days were a blast! Every house on a block lit up and decorated, mobs of kids running from house to house for HOURS on end. Now we have stations were you can take kids to get their candy X rayed to make sure there's nothing harmful shoved into them. Many places have Halloween parties so that kids don't have to go door to door and most people leave Detroit and go out to the Burbs where it's safer for the kids. So organic treats are the LAST thing that would ever be on our minds! Maybe in LA LA Land that's something people can afford and enjoy but around here that's just not happening!
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10-25-2010 @1:29AM David said... Folks in our neighborhood have gotten together the past four years and have block parties for Halloween. Parents in one particular neighborhood, folks you know and trust, banned together, chip in a few bucks and treat only kids that know one another, go to school together or live near one another.. Combine whatever treats you can come up with, even a couple of gallons of Kool Aid, some homemade cup cakes, etc, have a contest for best costume and give the winner a ticket to a movie in the neighborhood...The kids love it and parents feel much safer.
10-25-2010 @12:42AM Lisa said... It's one night of the year! So what if your kids eat candy! Let them eat your healthy, organic snacks the other 364 days of the year! I love the halloween pencils I saw today, but my son let me know that kids would rather have candy. He did get a toothbrush once! But, the lady also gave him a full size candy bar. The article mentions "green" snacks, but I still see a plastic wrapper on the organic lolly pop. If your kids are bring home "volumes of candy" then they are are staying out too long.
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10-25-2010 @12:50AM Lisa said... My 17 year old daughter says, "The kids of people who are worried about organic, all natural ***t have a lot less fun! Can't they let them dress up in costumes one night a year and wolf down sugary garbage? It's not going to hurt them."
We checked the link to green halloween, and besides the wonderful idea of giving out acorns, they also suggest "unfinished wood items" and "soap!" Wow! Anyone handing out soap or unfinished wood items are just asking to get their house egged!
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10-25-2010 @2:10AM Dexter said... These people sound like major party poopers who have to shove their hippy social agenda on little kids. For crying out loud, can't we just have fun anymore? My kids eat their fruits and veggies every other day of the year. What's wrong with celebrating life for a change. Why does everything have to be part of some major politicized propaganda social cause? What happened to just plain living??
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10-25-2010 @3:18AM JUAN said... more overpriced crap. ley the kids enjoy their candy---its a holiday for crying out loud, it won't hurt them, geeze.
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10-25-2010 @3:26AM azaunt said... Please take note that this "organic" sucker is made in mexico.
Anything not manufactured in the USA is the first thing that goes
directly into the trash. China has had so many incidents in the last
few years with lead in their products. Buy American and check your
childrens candy carefully before they eat it. If it does not have a
country of origin on it, toss it.
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10-25-2010 @3:50AM Mr B said... I give out small individual boxes of raisins. The kids like them and the parents are happy that the kid isn't getting all candy. Just because a treat is healthy doesn't mean it can't be good and satisfy the craving for something sweet.
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