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“Popcorn?! Not The Balls”- A New Halloween Tradition
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items This list is very special to me. Yes, it’s just groceries, but it’s more than that. The following story led to a new family tradition. Let me explain… Last year we had extended family members who struggled with food insecurity. They were embarrassed ...
Sections
9
“Mom I have lunch tomorrow!”
Snack Attack!
So Fresh- Produce
Sweet NOT Candy
A Little Nutty
Beverage
“Mom I have lunch tomorrow!”
My favorite moment of the night last year was our last trick or treater. He (teenager) his mom (carrying a toddler) walked around looking at how picked over everything was. When he saw ramen he took only 1. He picked it up, ran to his mom saying “mom...& asked if he could take another for his brother. “Of course. Here take all of the ramen,” I said. He was overly excited… over ramen?! His mom walked up & stated “thank you so much. We had no idea how they were going to have lunch tomorrow.” I immediately went through & gave them what was left. A few packages of popcorn, hot cocoa & apple cider mixes, all the ramen, a few other things. After they left I walked in the house crying. My husband & daughter asked what was wrong. Told them what happened & my husband grinned, saying, “Isn’t that what it was all about?” Yes!!!
Who doesn’t love Mac n cheese? But not sure about these for trick or treaters
Velveeta Shells and Cheese Original Microwavable Sauce Cups, 2.39 oz. ...
Kids love these! When my nieces & nephew were getting off the bus here I couldn’t keep these & Ramen noodles stocked
Idahoan Buttery Homestyle Mashed Potato Cups, 1.5 oz, 8 Count
Other than the full size candy bars these were the biggest hit of the night!
Maruchan Ramen Noodle Beef Flavor Soup, 3 oz, 12 Count Shelf Stable Package
My dad used his Aldi gift card to buy idk how many boxes of these.
Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor, 12 count
These were a HUGE hit last year! The amount of times we heard “they have Slim Jim’s!”
Slim Jim Snack-Sized Smoked Meat Stick, Mild Flavor, .28 oz., 120 pk.
Considering these this year for trick or treaters
Jack Link's Original Beef Sticks, 0.92 oz., 20 pk.
I hear these are comparable to Chomps- I can’t eat red meat so not sure on either- but I hear great things about both 🤷♀️
Member's Mark Original Grassfed Beef Snack Sticks 1 oz., 12 pk.
Snack Attack!
Not the most nutritious, but better than candy
“Popcorn?! Not the balls!” Was probably my favorite fun quote of the night last year. *Are popcorn balls even a thing anymore? 🤷♀️*
ACT II Butter Lovers Microwave Popcorn 2.75 Ounce (32 Pack)
I love the BBQ chips in this box
Member's Mark Variety Pack Potato Chips, 1 oz., 42 pk.
So many kids don’t have a good appetite for veggies so maybe this would be a way to get veggies
Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Puffs, Variety Pack, 0.5 oz., 30 pk.
My personal favorite nostalgic snack cracker
Cheez-It Snack Time Mix Variety Pack, 1 oz., 50 pk.
Can be put with a multitude of other foods, like apples, crackers, celery, bread, pretzels, etc
Jif-To-Go Creamy Peanut Butter, 36 ct.
Had these last year but they buried by decorations, stuffed in a tote & forgotten about. Not sure how well they will go over this year
Lance Variety Pack Sandwich Crackers, 40 pk.
So Fresh- Produce
Hmmm, what do you guys think? Would passing out produce work?
Thought about doing apples with those little peanut butter or caramel cups
Fresh Gala Apples, 3 lb Bag
Cuties, a little messy when peeled, but small & compact
Fresh Mandarin Oranges, 3 lb Bag
Add a little butter, salt n pepper & you have a filling side or meal for some
Fresh Whole Russet Potatoes , 5 lb Bag
Full size bananas or mini?
Bananas, 3 lbs. - Samsclub.com
Sweet NOT Candy
Sweet enough for that little pick me up, but in a healthier way
My daughter & I love these. Wish they sold other flavors as individual packages. Maybe they do & our Aldi just doesn’t have them?
Simply Nature Freeze Dried Fruit, 8 count
Freeze dried fruit is a great option for trick or treaters. Shelf stable
Bare Baked Crunchy Variety Pack Chips, 0.53 oz., 18 pk.
Perfect for all age groups
Mott's No Sugar Added Applesauce Variety Pack, 3.2 oz., 32 pk.
An easy way to sneak in veggies
GoGo SqueeZ Fruit & VeggieZ Applesauce Pouches, 3.2 oz., 28 pk.
Great for kids with allergies
GoGo SqueeZ Applesauce Pouches, Variety Pack, 3.2 oz., 32 ct.
Another more filling & nutritious option vs just sweets
Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Variety Pack, 1.51 oz., 52 pk.
Oatmeal is one of those things I’m not sure about yet
Millville Variety Pack Instant Oatmeal, 10 count
A good for you sweet
Nutri-Grain Bars Variety Pack, 1.3 oz., 36 pk.
I prefer Mott’s fruit snacks over all the rest because they have the best flavor & provide a bit of fruit & veggies. Went over pretty well last Halloween
Mott's Assorted Fruit Flavored Snacks, 0.8 oz., 90 pk.
A Little Nutty
BE CAREFUL OF ALLERGIES… I would like to find things that are more nutritious & filling this year. Nuts are a great option but I am concerned about allergies
Kids in my family definitely choose trail mixes
Member's Mark Variety Pack Trail Mix, 1.75 oz., 30 pk.
A healthier sweet but salty option. Just be careful of nut allergies
Nature's Garden Trail Mix Snack Packs, 1.2 oz., 24 pk.
Already got for this year- My dad insisted on getting these because he loves nuts & they are nutritious
Planters Variety Pack Cashews & Peanuts, 24 pk.
It’s surprising how many kids actually choose healthier options
Southern Grove Peanut Cranberry Almond Trail Mix, 8 count
Beverage
Those little ghouls do get thirsty after all that walking. The candy flavor drink mix ins are always a nice little touch. The first year we did beverages we had our Keurig out & were giving out warm cups of water to mix either hot cocoa or apple cider for a little warm refresher. Being in the Midwest Halloween is often very cool.
A nice refreshing way to wash all that candy down
Bottled Water - Sam's Club
One of the first things to go
Skittles Zero Sugar Variety Pack Singles-to-Go Powdered Drink Mix, Tropical, 30 ...
One kid tried to take an entire handful of these 😂 Another already have for this year
Jolly Rancher Sugar-Free Variety pack Singles to Go Powdered Drink Mix, 30 ...
Take home for a warm cup of hot chocolate after a long evening of trick or treating in the cold. Big hit! Parents also enjoyed getting some hot chocolate packets
Swiss Miss Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Mix, 1.38 oz., 50 ct.
Not as popular but still worth putting out- parents enjoyed these last year
Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Drink Mix (48 pk.)
These don’t take up as much room as a bottle of water. Which do you think is better for trick or treaters, bottles of water or juice boxes?
Apple & Eve 100% Juice Variety Pack, 6.75 fl. oz., 36 pk.
Nostalgic… yes or no for trick or treaters?
Capri Sun Variety Pack (6oz / 40pk) - Fruit Juice
Ice, Ice, Spooky!
Last year when my dad won his Aldi gift card, he went to the store alone to shop for trick or treaters. He came back with ramen, bottles of water, & cheese sticks. We at first were like how are we going to keep these cold enough?! Dry ice!!! Plus the dry ice helps aid in the smokey & spooky factor. *If you live in a warm environment this may not be a good idea*
Protein & cheese packs if kept cold make a good option for your visiting ghosts & ghouls
Frigo® Cheese Heads® Colby Jack Cheese & Turkey Sticks, 6.3 oz, 8 Count
Cheese sticks were very popular last year so this year we’re trying to plan ahead. And these are the best deal we’ve found so far. Parents also appreciated the little non sweet snacks.
Member's Mark Colby and Monterey Jack Cheese Sticks, 36 ct.
Again be careful with allergies
Member's Mark Cheese, Fruit and Nut Snacks, 12 pk.
Not sure about these since they have to stay cold. Maybe we can freeze them?
Yoplait Go-Gurt Kids Nonfat Yogurt Variety Pack, 2 oz., 32 ct.
I call my nieces & nephews “pickle piranhas” because they will down a jar of pickles in less than 10 minutes. Most kids seem obsessed with pickles. So if we pass these out I know they’ll be a hit. *funny note my daughter is allergic to pickles bu...
OH SNAP! Dilly Bites Dill Pickle Snack Packs, 3.25 fl. oz., 12 ct.
Baby Ghosts & Ghouls
Baby food can get expensive fast, so help a mama out with these options.
Last year I had a few teenagers ask if they could take these. Either for a little sibling or as a snack for themselves.
Parent's Choice Apple Rice Rusks 2nd Stage 6+ Months, 1.76 oz
These aren’t as sticky as regular fruit snacks. They’re easier to chew & break for babies
Plum Organics Teensy Snacks Soft Fruit Snacks, Mixed Berry, 0.35 oz Bags, 5 ...
Fruit & veggie risks
Gerber Organic Teething Wafers Variety Pack, 36 ct.
Now The Treats
We give out candy as well as food. After all it is Halloween!!! *We start prepping pretty much as soon as back to school is over.*
If buying in bulk at Sam’s Club it’s just as affordable if not more affordable than the fun sized package
Bulk Chocolate Candy & Candy Bars
Had to get these because my niece & I bonded over a bag of these. So Nerd Clusters are sentimental
Nerds Gummy Clusters, Halloween Candy, Variety Mix Bag, 37.5 oz., 75 pcs.
Allergy kid friendly!!!
Smarties Candy Rolls, Giant, 36 Count Allergen Free
Keep fruity candy away from chocolate! Chocolate absorbs the fruity flavor
Starburst & Skittles Chewy Candy, Variety Box, Full Size, 30 pk.
I believe Airheads are allergy friendly as well
AirHeads Halloween Variety Pack Candy, 0.55 oz., 90 pk.
This was part of our set up last year. This year we are hoping to do it even bigger & better.
Last year we started a new Halloween tradition of not only passing out candy but food items as well. So many people struggle with food insecurity so a little snack might make all the difference in the world to someone. If you want trick or treat food ideas check out my Benable list, "Popcorn?! Not The Balls!" *BTW, this was only our 2nd year setting up Halloween, we are still growing our decorations & supplies. Figuring it out- so don't judge our setup too harshly cause it looked much better at night 😂😂😂 We got so many compliments though!!! *We weren't fully set up in these clips. We also had a campfire for people to warm up by, & other stuff. #Halloween #halloweentreats #benable #halloweenfoodtreats #benablelist