Some Are Suggesting Potatoes Over Candy For Halloween
Halloween candy takes center stage on October 31. As we’re all aware, Halloween extends beyond just one evening. It’s a whole season. The season includes activities such as classroom celebrations, neighborhood parades, friendly gatherings, trunk-or-treat events, and other occasions where people can showcase their Halloween costumes.
With so many Halloween activities, there’s been a growing interest in alternative Halloween treats. These alternatives often feature tiny toys, healthier choices, and, more surprisingly, unconventional options like potatoes.
Trick-or-Potatoes
According to Potatoes USA, there’s a growing trend among Halloween enthusiasts throughout the United States who are introducing a novel tradition of handing out potatoes to children during Halloween. Additionally, it has been noted that some people are incorporating potatoes into the Halloween season by using them for various crafts and games.
“It honestly started as a joke,” explained Pat Foy, a self-employed contractor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in a news release. “I thought, if I’m going to give something out to kids on Halloween, I don’t want to just give them something that makes them go nuts. I’m of Irish descent, so potatoes made sense.” Additionally, he said that he had given away big baking potatoes before they became something that took off.
“Stingy Jack” is a twist on Jack-o’-Lanterns.
The potato company mentioned that some families are even using potatoes for Halloween crafts. “Stingy Jack” is a twist on Jack-o’-Lanterns. “Potatoes are easy to carve and affordable – so it’s easy to have a few extra on hand in case you need a redo,” they stated. “Like pumpkins, the potato’s long shelf-life makes it ideal for displaying your family’s carved creations.”
Not everyone is convinced that offering potatoes as a Halloween treat is a universally good idea for trick-or-treaters. A Reddit thread was initiated to discuss this unconventional Halloween practice. One person mentioned that if someone offered them a potato, there would be an 83% likelihood of that potato ending up hurled through a window. Another person reflected on how their reaction as a child would have been one of disappointment if they received a potato, but as an adult, they would now appreciate it and even consider baking it.
Currently, Potatoes USA is encouraging customers to participate in #JackOTater or #Trick-or-Tater by tagging @PotatoGoodness on Instagram or Facebook for a chance to win prizes.