This Halloween, trick-or-treaters across America might find something a little different in their candy buckets — a potato.
As parents its our job to check kids candy after a long night of trick or treat and maybe even treat ourselves. This year you may find a trick in the shape of a potato.
This year’s trick-or-treating brought plenty of sweets, but also a few extra “tricks.” Don’t be surprised if your child pulled a potato from their candy bag — it wasn’t a prank gone wrong, but part of a growing national trend. Many households across the U.S. — and even some locally — joined the fun by handing out potatoes instead of candy, a phenomenon widely shared on TikTok.
For some, it became the highlight of the night. In many cases, homes offered both candy and potatoes in the same bowl, letting trick-or-treaters choose without explanation. The idea? To see which item kids would pick when given total freedom. While a few skeptics were puzzled, others enthusiastically opted for the humble spud — and walked away laughing.
Potatoes USA, the national marketing and research organization for the potato industry, has launched a playful new campaign called “Trick-or-Tater,” encouraging families to hand out spuds instead of sweets. The quirky idea has quickly gone viral, with photos of kids proudly holding potatoes alongside candy making waves on social media.
But behind the humor lies a healthier message. The campaign aims to highlight the nutritional benefits of potatoes as a fun alternative to sugary snacks. A medium 5.3-ounce potato contains more potassium than a banana and is a good source of vitamin C, making it a wholesome addition to any Halloween haul.
Parents participating in the campaign say it’s a lighthearted way to balance Halloween fun with a bit of nutrition — and maybe start a new spooky-season tradition.
