Trick-or-treaters can expect Mom or Dad’s favorites in their bags this year

Personal favorites and what’s on sale will dominate Halloween candy purchases according to National Confectioners Association poll

Pull out your Halloween costume and get ready for another fun-filled holiday of trick-or-treating, costume parties and traditions new and old. Halloween has been known to bring out the kid in all of us. In fact, with 80% of adults planning to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters and many more planning on snagging a few pieces for themselves along the way, marshmallow pumpkins, candy corn and bite-sized candy bars will make their way into waiting hands and bags across the country.

The National Confectioners Association, the major trade association representing the candy industry, scared up new information on how adults and kids alike will enjoy their treats this year. The following Halloween habits and plans were unearthed in a national survey:

Plastic pumpkins with handles remain the trick-or-treating container of choice, followed by plastic bags and pillow cases.
Personal favorites will dominate candy purchases with 35% of adults planning to hand out their candy favorites; 21% planning to buy what is on sale and 16% buying their children’s favorites.
Almost half of those planning to hand out candy said they decide how many pieces each trick-or-treater received, followed by 40% who said would leave it up to trick-or-treaters to make their own selections.
And almost half of all parents have a plan worked out for allotting their kids a few pieces of candy per day after Halloween; 31% planned to have their kids share in the decision; and 8% planned to let co-workers reap the benefits of their kids’ trick-or-treating after keeping a certain amount for the house.

“As kids make plans for trick-or-treating or Halloween parties, they may be surprised to find out that their parents have their own candy strategies in mind. We know that 90% of parents plan to snag a few goodies from their kids, so the debate is up for who really enjoys the day the most,” said Larry Graham, president of the National Confectioners Association.

“And as parents and kids alike make their trick-or-treating plans, it is a good time for parents to think through a strategy for making the candy last beyond Halloween night,” Graham continued.

How do you make Halloween candy last?

With many parents looking for ways to extend the life of the Halloween candy their children collect or even for creative recipes and party ideas for a ghoulisciously fun Halloween, the NCA has produced a Tricks and Treats guide to help consumers. Parents can find information on how to store different types of candy, recipe ideas such as Halloween trail mix, party ideas and fun facts and lore about the holiday.

The guide is available at http://www.candyusa.org/Holidays/Halloween/default.asp, along with other fun Halloween information.

“Armed with information on candy shelf life, safety tips and recipes for some terrifyingly tasty treats, trick-or-treaters, partygoers and candy fans alike can plan a holiday of spooky fun,” said Graham. “With retailers predicting a strong Halloween season, it seems like just about everyone will be getting in on the celebration.”

For more information about Halloween candy and general trends in the candy industry, please visit www.candyusa.org.

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