#Halloween #Idaho Potatoes #Trick or Tater

The Hilarious Battle of Potatoes and Candy on Halloween

Halloween night usually features an abundance of sweet treats. Kids venture out in costumes with the main goal - scoring as much candy as possible. However, in an unexpected twist, the Idaho Potato Commission kicked off an intriguing initiative called the "Trick or Tater" experiment, where children had the choice between beloved Halloween candies and genuine Idaho potatoes.

The Experiment Unfolds

On October 31, 2026, families from 15 households in 13 states, stretching from Alaska to Massachusetts, took part in this quirky experiment. Armed with both Idaho potatoes and a selection of Halloween candy, homeowners opened their doors to eager trick-or-treaters who were faced with the unique decision between more traditional sugary delights and the less conventional options presented by the potatoes.

To track the results of this fun experiment, the Idaho Potato Commission devised the "Idaho Trick or Tater Indicator," designed to gauge the long-standing affection Americans might hold for Idaho potatoes against their love for Halloween goodies.

Surprising Outcomes

The results? To everyone's astonishment, potatoes proved to be decent competition for sweets. In Pennsylvania, Patrick Foy, known for his longstanding tradition of offering both options, handed out an impressive 200 pounds of Idaho potatoes in a mere 97 minutes! As expected, his candy supply lingered long after the potatoes ran out.

Meanwhile, in Fargo, North Dakota, kids selected potatoes over candy at a remarkable rate, with Kayla Dornfeld reporting 137 potatoes taken versus only 67 pieces of candy. Even in Idaho, where you would assume candy would reign supreme, a first-time participant, Kinsey Amezcua, found that 28 kids opted for potatoes compared to 73 for candy, which was still more than she expected.

Shouting