About Green Halloween
In 2006, Green Halloween® Founder, Corey Colwell-Lipson took her six-year-old princess and two-year- old fairy trick-or-treating. While most of the neighborhood handed out the requisite Tootsie Rolls and M ‘n M’s, a few homes placed non-candy treats like bubbles and stickers in her daughters’ pumpkins. She was so thrilled that someone thought outside the candy-box, that while shouting, “Thank You!” at the top of her lungs, she made a note to herself to remember to trick-or-treat at the same homes the following year. But, after winding through several streets in the dark, she had already forgotten which homes were candy- free. She mentioned to a nearby parent, “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a sign you could place on your door or window that notified trick-or-treaters that their upcoming treat would be healthy?” This way, parents could seek out those homes and turn trick-or-treating into a scavenger hunt – a hunt for treasures rather than treats.
Corey began thinking about Halloween as a whole and about how it is hard to find treats that are kid healthy. Some parents spend weeks researching where to find affordable, kid-friendly, and for some, Earth-friendly treats. But most parents don’t have the time, inclination, or money to seek out alternatives to conventional candy. They may not like offering traditional candy, but what other options do they have? Wouldn’t it be terrific if affordable, kid, and Earth-healthy treats and treasures were available everywhere?
What began as a conversation with Corey’s local Whole Foods Market store (in Bellevue, Washington) quickly turned into a movement with other organizations and businesses wanting to take part in making Halloween healthier and safer for our children and for the environment. Within weeks, Overlake Hospital and ParentMap Magazine joined Corey and Whole Foods Market. Parents from all over the Puget Sound began contacting Corey to find out how they could bring Green Halloween to their neighborhoods. Merchandisers began asking if they could put the Green Halloween logo on their items and even better, everyone involved has said, “Yes!” to helping a local non-profit partner, Treeswing, by donating money to their cause: improving the health of children through nutrition and exercise.
Green Halloween’s success in 2007 proved that people are ready to update Halloween and so in 2008, Corey used the model she created in Seattle to bring Green Halloween nation-wide. By 2009, Green Halloween official cities included Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Tampa, Daytona Beach, and New York City.
In 2010, the revolution became an official program of the non-profit organization, EcoMom Alliance and grew to even more cities. A record one million pieces of candy were replaced with healthier and more sustainable treat options at events all across the U.S., thanks to our product partners. Green Halloween launched National Costume Swap Day as a kick-off to the Green Halloween season. The initiative was met with such enthusiasm that it was even featured on Good Morning America.
By 2012, the Green Halloween revolution had grown so huge that it needed a more permanent home (outside of Corey’s den!) that shared its commitment to healthy and eco-friendly solutions. Corey reached out to Green America and a new partnership was born.
Green America is thrilled to be spearheading the Green Halloween effort this year and in the future, and are thrilled that Corey, and co-founder Lynn Colwell, will continue to be involved.
We hope that Green Halloween® will inspire YOU to think outside the candy-box®. We are dedicated to offering fun, healthy, affordable, not-too-time consuming ideas that will support your goal of creating a Halloween that is happy and healthy for your families and the planet we all share.
We hope that Green Halloween® will inspire YOU to think outside the candy-box®. We are dedicated to offering fun, healthy, affordable, not-too-time consuming ideas that will support your goal of creating a Halloween that is happy and healthy for your families and the planet we all share. Please feel free to e-mail us with your ideas and don’t forget to register with our site so that you can watch the green grow.
