Bella’s Cookies Expands Green Halloween Program in Delaware

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 08, 2008 – Bella’s Cookies is bringing Green Halloween back to Milton Elementary School this year, and expanding the program to HO Brittingham Elementary School in Milton.  Monday, November 3rd, students will exchange their traditional Halloween candy for a greener and cleaner bag of treats.  Bella’s continues to organize this annual event in Delaware in effort to raise awareness of the health & nutritional dangers lurking in traditional treats and candy that are given to children during the Halloween celebration.  

“Green Halloween” puts an eco-friendly spin on the traditional celebration of Halloween through a variety of easy to follow green practices.  The celebration advocates recycling, earth friendly practices, gardening, green costume ideas, fun contests/scavenger hunts, and of course new ideas for candy & treats.  “The fundamentals of the celebration encourage you to think creatively and earth-friendly, said Kelly Leishear (President of Bella’s Cookies) “children get just as excited about treasures and trinkets as they do candy or treats.”  For those either giving or receiving Halloween treats, look for ones without toxic and/or harmful ingredients; this is a key concept of Green Halloween – to raise the awareness on the dangers lurking in mainstream, commercially made treats and candy.  For years, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors/flavors, and preservatives have been given without hesitation to children dressed in costume, however with medical conditions such as juvenile diabetes and childhood obesity on the rise, and more children being diagnosed with allergic reactions to certain ingredients, alternatives to the norm are being more sought after by conscientious consumers.

Green Halloween is held the first school day after Halloween (this year Monday, November 3rd), and students will hold candy weigh-ins then exchange their conventional treats and candy for a “Green Halloween” bag.  Each bag is assembled in a recyclable paper bag and filled with contributions from some businesses such as East Coast Garden Center in Millsboro, Delaware Solid Waste Authority, TS Smith & Son in Bridgeville, Good 4 U Natural Market, Rita’s Ice, and Bella’s Cookies.  “The bags offer children something different, little things that children can use, enjoy and treats made without unhealthy ingredients,” said Kelly Leishear (President of Bella’s Cookies).  Last year, Milton Elementary School piloted the Green Halloween program with 89 students participating and turning in 215 lbs of candy.  The rules of the exchange are simple: students must turn in approximately 2 pounds of candy in order to receive a bag.  A letter will go home in student’s folders the week of October 13th, explaining the importance of the event and asking for their child’s participation.  

Bella’s has also posted a special section on their website for Green Halloween.  This section includes information on the dangers of ingredients such as food dyes, preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup, green ideas for Halloween from GreenHalloween.org, and a listing of events that Bella’s Cookies will be in attendance this October where consumers can interact and learn more about the program & how they can participate.  “Expanding this program is important to us,” said Kelly Leishear “a child’s body undergoes rapid growth development, and what they’re putting into their bodies now, is extremely important.”

As the 2008 participation for businesses is passed, businesses wishing to participate or learn more about next year’s Green Halloween celebration may contact Bella’s Cookies at the information below.

Bella’s Cookies is an organic and vegan bakery specializing in natural & organic, vegan, and gluten free cookies.  More information about Bella’s Cookies or Green Halloween can be found online at www.BellasCookies.com or by calling 302-684-8152.