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TIL CreativesTrick or Treat? Potatoes over Candies — Here’s why people are handing out spuds this Halloween 2025, and who is the Potato Man? When children across America set out for trick-or-treating this Halloween 2025, many may return home not just with chocolates and lollipops — but with something far more unexpected: a potato.The unusual yet endearing practice of distributing potatoes instead of candy is gaining traction, especially after viral videos on TikTok and Instagram showed homeowners gleefully handing out russets and Yukon Golds to laughing trick-or-treaters.Among the pioneers of this trend is Pat Foy from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, fondly called the “Potato Man” by locals. “I ask every kid, ‘Candy or potato?’” Foy shared. “Surprisingly, many go for the potato. The little ones look stunned at first but then proudly walk away with it because, well, it’s bigger than a candy bar.”From Joke to Tradition: The Origins of Trick-or-TaterThe quirky idea of potatoes for Halloween traces back more than a decade. Former NBC News correspondent Kevin Tibbles began offering spuds as a lighthearted punishment for kids returning for second helpings of candy.“It started out as a joke,” Tibbles recalled. “I used to warn kids, ‘Come back again, and you’ll get a potato!’ But soon enough, they wanted the potato. The next year, it became a tradition.”Live EventsOver time, what began as humor evolved into a heartfelt community activity. Families began embracing the idea as a fun, allergy-friendly alternative for children unable to eat traditional candy. “When I pull out a potato, everyone smiles,” Tibbles added. “Even I can’t help but laugh — and I’m the crabbiest guy on the block.”Potatoes USA Joins the FunNow, the trend has found an official backer. Potatoes USA, the national marketing and research organization for the potato industry, has embraced the craze with a Halloween campaign titled “Trick-or-Tater.”“Potatoes are for everyone — fun, versatile, and full of flavor,” said Kayla Vogel, community engagement manager at Potatoes USA. “When people realized that kids genuinely enjoy getting them, it became more than a trend. It became a tradition.”To mark Halloween 2025, Potatoes USA has rolled out a series of spooky-themed recipes, from Devilish Potatoes and Franken Fingers to a CharBOOterie Board that reinvents the classic party platter with eerie flair.Chef R.J. Harvey, director of culinary at Potatoes USA, said, “Halloween should be playful and memorable. Potatoes are naturally fun — you can cook them, decorate them, or even hand them out. They make every celebration more creative”, as per a report by WGAL.More Than a Gimmick: A Healthy and Hilarious OptionBeyond its viral appeal, the potato giveaway has a health-conscious side. Parents see it as a clever way to curb sugar intake while sharing a nutritious treat. A medium 5.3-ounce potato contains more potassium than a banana and is a good source of vitamin C — a refreshing twist amid the usual candy overload.The playful approach has sparked laughter and joy in communities across the U.S., Canada, and even the U.K., with many predicting the “Trick-or-Tater” tradition could become a new Halloween staple.FAQsWhy are people giving out potatoes for Halloween 2025?The trend began as a joke but evolved into a viral and inclusive alternative to candy, celebrated for its humor and allergy-friendly appeal.Who started the potatoes-for-Halloween trend?Former NBC correspondent Kevin Tibbles began handing out potatoes two decades ago as a joke, while Pat Foy of Pennsylvania helped popularize it on social media.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) Read More News onpotatoes for halloweenPotatoes Halloween 2025Trick or Treat PotatoesHalloween 2025Escape halloween (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onpotatoes for halloweenPotatoes Halloween 2025Trick or Treat PotatoesHalloween 2025Escape halloween(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates....moreless Explore More Stories123
