My yearly rant. The “Halloconomy” is already churning away. In fact, grocery stores have begun building their end aisle and entrance displays and this will only intensify over the coming weeks.
The Halloween season officially starts the day after Labour Day when chips, liquorice and multitudes of chocolate treats are carefully positioned to garner our attention.
The displays are deftly marketed with phrases such as “back to school fun treats” and are often described as legitimate snacks. There are usually sale price tags accompanying these displays which encourage multiple purchasing events leading up to the big spook.
Who hasn’t bought a bag of Oh Henry bars with good intentions to save as Halloween stock only to devour the bag while watching Netflix on a September weekend?
Halloween is a fun time for kids and binging pounds of candy on one day (3.4 pounds per person in the United States) is not going hurt anyone. It is the over exposure to the “fun treats” and eating habits that is the longer-term danger. Canadians spent $486 million on Halloween candy last year and this amount will increase dramatically in 2023.
Obesity rates amongst children in Canada have nearly tripled over the past 30 years. Currently one in seven children are obese in Canada and they will likely carry that with them to adulthood along with the physical and mental problems that come along with it.
Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and emotional trauma related to bullying are all part and parcel for obese youth in Canada.
Following the Canada Food Guide as much as possible is difficult in an inflationary-environment, but families need to be as diligent as possible to steer their kids in the right direction.
There is a certain sad irony in that the beginning of candy season coincides with the fall harvest of BC Fresh fruits and vegetables.
Margins on candy are gigantic and profit seeking retailers and wholesalers realize they can squeeze us a months’ extra coin by starting their merchandising in September.
Would retailers consider starting Halloween candy sales on Oct. 1? Is that too much to ask?
