National Candy Corn Day is celebrated every year on October 30th, dedicated to one of the most polarizing candies in America: the tricolor, cone-shaped treat that people either love or love to hate.
History of National Candy Corn Day
Candy corn dates back to the 1880s, when it was created by George Renninger, a candy maker at the Wunderle Candy Company in Philadelphia. It was originally called “Chicken Feed” and marketed toward farming communities, since its yellow, orange, and white coloring resembled kernels of corn. At the time, most candy was aimed at adults, and candy corn’s agricultural theme made it especially popular in an era when America was still largely rural.
The Goelitz Confectionery Company, now known as the Jelly Belly Candy Company, began mass-producing candy corn in the 1900s and remains one of the largest producers of the candy today. Over time, candy corn became strongly associated with autumn and Halloween specifically, even though its original packaging and marketing had nothing to do with the holiday. National Candy Corn Day was established to celebrate this uniquely American candy, landing right before Halloween each year.
How to Celebrate National Candy Corn Day
- Enjoy a handful of classic candy corn, or try one of the many flavor variations now available
- Bake candy corn into a themed dessert, like cookies or bark
- Use candy corn as a fun, colorful topping for cupcakes or popcorn mix
- Debate the age-old question with friends: is candy corn actually good?
- Share your stance on candy corn on social media using #NationalCandyCornDay
Fun Facts About Candy Corn
- Candy corn was originally called “Chicken Feed” and marketed primarily to farming communities in the late 1800s.
- It was created by George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company in Philadelphia.
- Candy corn is traditionally made from sugar, corn syrup, wax, and artificial coloring, with each kernel hand-painted in three layers in the earliest production methods.
- Candy corn consistently ranks as one of the most divisive candies in America, regularly showing up on both “most loved” and “most hated” Halloween candy lists.
- Billions of pieces of candy corn are produced in the United States each year, mostly consumed in the weeks surrounding Halloween.
- Despite its strong association with Halloween, candy corn’s original packaging in the 1880s had no connection to the holiday at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Candy Corn Day?
National Candy Corn Day is celebrated annually on October 30th.
Who invented candy corn?
Candy corn was invented in the 1880s by George Renninger, a candy maker at the Wunderle Candy Company in Philadelphia.
Why was candy corn originally called “Chicken Feed”?
Its yellow, orange, and white coloring resembled kernels of corn, so it was marketed toward farming communities under that name before becoming associated with Halloween.
What is candy corn made of?
Traditional candy corn is made primarily from sugar, corn syrup, wax, and artificial coloring, giving it its distinctive smooth texture and tricolor appearance.