For many children candy is the focus of Halloween but for children with food allergies it can feel more like a trick than a treat.

The Centers for Disease Control says the number of children with food allergies is up 18% since 1997 and that number is still rising.

Parents of children with Celiac Disease have to be especially careful this time of year.

"Around Halloween time right now when your child goes trick or treating make sure you look at every single ingredient," says Jennifer Fletcher, the Owner of Country Harvest in Schofield.

Fletcher's store specializes in alternative foods for people with Celiac Disease-- meaning they can't digest the protein in wheat.

She says during the 6 years she has run her store the need for products has gone up and the flavor of the food-- especially the treats-- has gotten better.

" We've come such along way and some even say it's better than the traditional product," says Fletcher.

Registered Dietitian Jennifer Mikulich, says children with food allergies don't have to skip trick or treating.

She recommends families hand out foods like apples, raisins or microwave popcorn instead of candy and some traditional candies like licorice, are gluten free.

"The snack bags of microwave popcorn is a good snack for any kids doesn't matter if they have Celiac Disease or not, but if they do they still need to read the labels to make sure it doesn't contain any gluten."

Mikulich says non food items and spare change will appeal to parents and children.

"Tattoos stamps pencils, erasers pencil toppers, money, kids love money. Get out all of your pennies, roll a few coins together in cellophane with a pretty ribbon and a note."

She says kids will enjoy having another treat other than candy.

"I think that's something all parents can appreciate so their kids don't come home with a big bag of candy they want to consume right away and that's not good for them, so I say look for some alternatives to food. I think kids won't be upset about that. I think they will enjoy getting those different things too."

A Rib Mountain Neighborhood is hosting an allergy-friendly trick or treat on Baneberry Court Friday October 31, from 4- 7p.m.

For directions to the neighborhood click on the activity page of the WI Celiac Support website. The link is listed below.

For more info on gluten free candy click on the Celiac Disease Foundation's website. The link is listed below.