Several kids suffer from food allergies in the United States, and in an effort to show support for such children people will be keeping teal colored pumpkins outside their homes this Halloween.

According to the non-profit organization Food Allergy and Education, every year more than 15 million Americans suffer from food allergies.

For seven-year-old Joseph Sexson, Halloween has always come with a share of disappointment. The first-grader is allergic to milk, eggs and peanuts, ruling out some of the tasty treats his older sister, who has no food allergies, enjoys.

After six years of trick-or-treating, Joseph's parents have worked out a routine whereby they carefully check Joseph's goodies. They have given him Reese's peanut butter cups. But still, his mother, Heidi Sexson, knows the holiday is not as fun for him as it could be.

Sexson said, "It does bother him that he doesn't get the same things as other people. He is so excited when it's a treat he can have".

For this year, Sexson plans to paint a craft pumpkin teal to let trick-or-treaters know that if they have allergies they can find safe alternatives at her home. Many of her neighbors will also be participating in their effort. It's all part of a campaign promoted by Food Allergy Research & Education, a McLean, Va.-based organization, she said.

Veronica LaFemina, vice president of communications said in a statement that teal was a natural choice, as it has been the color for food allergy awareness for almost two decades.

LaFemina said they are not looking to replace candy, instead they will find a way to be inclusive and ensure that all trick-or-treaters who come to your door can leave with a smile.

"We're not looking to replace candy, but there is a way to be inclusive and ensure that all trick-or-treaters who come to your door can leave with a smile," LaFemina said.

"I think part of the Teal Pumpkin Project is to bring awareness to those who are unaware of food allergies. It's kind of something people can't relate to. They don't understand how severe a nut allergy can be if it's ingested. It'll be great to have someone come to our porch on Halloween and say, 'Oh, my gosh, I've been seeing this everywhere. What is it?' It'll allow us to help educate people and maybe next year, they'll do it, too."