Idaho Potato Commission tests potato popularity against Halloween candy
The Idaho Potato Commission conducted a nationwide experiment across 13 states, offering children the choice between traditional Halloween candy and potatoes.
On October 31, the Idaho Potato Commission facilitated a consumer engagement project in which 15 households across 13 U.S. states challenged trick-or-treaters to choose between standard Halloween candy and Idaho potatoes. The initiative sought to measure the appeal of potatoes against conventional sweets during the holiday.
Results varied by region. In Pennsylvania, one participating household distributed 200 pounds of potatoes in less than two hours, exhausting their supply while candy remained. In North Dakota, potato selection outpaced candy by a margin of more than two to one. Conversely, in Idaho, candy remained the dominant choice, although approximately 25% of trick-or-treaters opted for the potato.
Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission is a state agency tasked with promoting and protecting the certification mark for potatoes grown in Idaho. The organization uses such experiments to increase market visibility. Following the results, the commission has invited interested households to register for future iterations of the experiment on its website.