With SNAP funds set to lapse on November 1 — and more federal cuts looming — some people are calling for changes to Halloween traditions.
Infographics like one from the United Way Family Resource Network suggest offering shelf-stable foods alongside the candy bowl this year.
“With SNAP benefits delayed, some families may be feeling an extra pinch right now. Let’s come together to support our neighbors in small but meaningful ways and keep the spirit of community strong,” the organization wrote in its Facebook post.
The message has spread across the country, with similar messages and graphics showing up in countless community groups, Reddit threads, mom blogs and social media accounts.
Caroline Weeks, a pediatric dietitian and nutritionist, posted a TikTok urging communities to think about Halloween “a little differently” this year.
“Families are already struggling, and they’re set to struggle a whole lot more in the coming months. Why not take advantage of a time where kids are already going to strangers’ houses for candy?” she says in her video.
The discussion comes amid the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history — as more than 20 million Americans face rising health insurance premiums and 42 million risk losing SNAP benefits next week.
In 2023, almost 39% of SNAP participants were children. That’s 16.4 million children who may be without access to food.
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Items like single-serve mac and cheese cups, ramen packs, granola bars, oatmeal, fruit snacks, pretzels, cheese and crackers, clementines and protein bars are great alternatives — or additions — to the traditional candy bowl. You could even consider having some canned goods like soup, vegetables and beans available.
Some online commenters are criticizing the idea as being too serious for a holiday that’s supposed to be about joy and fun for children.
“Halloween is the one night a year that’s supposed to be about silly fun, not reminding kids their family is struggling,” wrote Kayla Medieros-Harrison in a Facebook post. “[Y]ou don’t hand a child a cup-o-noodles and call it generosity, that’s just weird and depressing. If you’re genuinely worried about food insecurity, support your local food banks instead. [K]ids want candy, not your pity,”
However, others are praising the idea as being supportive of the community and cost effective in a time when many people — not just those participating in SNAP or other programs — are having to tighten their budgets.
“Costco snacks are WAY cheaper than a bucket full of candy! And oftentimes the parents appreciate it way more due to less sugar and artificial sweeteners. $20 for a small bag of candy can equate to [two] full family size boxes of a snack,” wrote Mariah Tenorio on Facebook.
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Some online commenters argued that the money used to buy these shelf-safe food items should go directly to local food pantries or food banks instead.
“There are food banks for this, and the neighborhood pantries. Those are places people can go and get their food and feel at least some dignity about it because they are the ones choosing to seek that help out in a moment where they want to do it. A parent doesn’t want to do that on Halloween night. A kid doesn’t want a ramen cup or a [protein] bar on Halloween night. Both those people, the parent and the kid, just want to go trick or treating, get some candy, and have a little fun on a spooky night,” wrote one Reddit commenter.
However, others countered that this act of kindness was something they would have greatly appreciated as a child. Some even said they’ve been offering candy alternatives for years and those items often run out much faster than the candy.
“We have offered individual snack packs of animal crackers and apple sauce pouches in the past to accommodate for the number of really little kids and allergy kids in our neighborhood who can’t eat regular candy, and the older kids always want them. They’re different and that makes them special. As a kid myself, I would’ve gotten so excited to get a Mac and cheese cup or some mini muffins or pretzels,” wrote a Reddit user.
“We gave out cup of soups, bags of chips, candy last year and all the soups and bags of chips were gone and still had some candy left,” wrote Jupiter Roze on Facebook.
Even for those who disagree, the fact that these posts have gained such traction — sparking conversations about food insecurity and community care — shows how deeply these issues resonate right now.
