- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- Comfort Food
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every March 31
- Holiday emoji:
- 🥔
National Tater Day arrives every March 31, inviting everyone to celebrate the incredible potato in all its forms. From crispy fries to creamy mashed potatoes, this versatile vegetable is a culinary staple. Gather your favorite spud recipes and join the festivities by cooking, sharing, and savoring every bite.
Want to sponsor National Tater Day? Learn how
Expected National Tater Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Tater Day often brings delicious deals from fast-food chains and restaurants. Expect specials on fries, potato skins, and baked potatoes from places like Wendy’s, known for its iconic baked potatoes, McDonald’s with its world-famous fries, and Arby’s offering its signature curly fries. Grocery stores like Kroger and Walmart may feature discounts on fresh potatoes, frozen potato products from brands like Ore-Ida and McCain Foods, and even potato chips from Lay’s and Pringles. Keep an eye out for local restaurant promotions and independent eateries showcasing creative potato dishes. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 31 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Tater Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalTaterDay. Film a quick recipe video featuring your favorite potato dish or a ‘tater hack’ for perfect fries.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalTaterDay. Share mouth-watering photos of your potato creations, from gourmet gratin to simple roasted spuds.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalTaterDay. Post a poll asking your friends if they prefer mashed, fried, or baked potatoes.
National Tater Day Hero
Antoine-Augustin Parmentier
History of National Tater Day
The much-adored tater evolved from the nightingale plant almost 350 million years ago. But its earliest recorded instance in history is much later than that. Potatoes were first cultivated as food in the Peruvian Andes. Since potatoes grew best in higher altitude conditions, the crops were mostly planted atop a mountain valley, near Lake Titicaca. As centuries passed by, potatoes grew in popularity and trade due to their low-maintenance features and high nutritional values.
It was due to the tubular vegetable’s low-maintenance quality that they were being planted in larger and larger acres of land. This meant more food for people in the long run, and this is also the reason why potatoes were used by rulers and lords to solve food shortages amongst the masses. One interesting example is Prussia in the 1700s. The king, Frederick the Great, decreed potatoes to be given to the masses, especially the poor, as protection against famine. However, many refused the food as they considered taters to be disgusting. Seeing this, the king came up with a strategy and ordered the potato fields to be cordoned off and labeled as ‘food for the royals.’ But soon after, people ‘stole’ the potatoes for eating. The king’s plan had worked and the masses were fed.
More recently in tater history, people have been celebrating National Tater Day since 1843. Traders would come and exchange goods, particularly potato slips that allowed them to buy and grow the plant. This is the oldest trade convention ever known and celebrated. While it may have had its fair share of ups and downs, the tater is loved and enjoyed by many today.
National Tater Day timeline
The Incas in Southern Peru discover potatoes as an edible food source.
The first batch of potatoes arrives in North America as a present to Virginia’s governor.
Potato famine renders many potato crops useless, as a result of which many in Europe starve and die.
Ray Kroc opens the first McDonald’s branch in Illinois, selling the first McDonald’s fries in the world.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Tater Day
Local businesses can celebrate National Tater Day by offering unique potato-themed specials. Restaurants could feature a ‘Potato Flight’ with small servings of different potato dishes or a special ‘Build Your Own Loaded Baked Potato’ bar. Grocery stores might host a potato tasting event, showcasing various potato types and their best uses, or offer discounts on bulk potato purchases. Food trucks could create limited-time ‘Tater Tot’ creations with gourmet toppings. Encourage staff to share their favorite potato recipes, fostering a fun, community-focused celebration around this versatile vegetable.
National Tater Day FAQs
When is National Tater Day?
In 2027, National Tater Day is observed on Wednesday, March 31, offering a hump-day culinary celebration. This fixed date ensures an annual tribute to the beloved spud.
How many potatoes are consumed annually?
The average American consumes approximately 110 pounds of potatoes annually, a figure that includes fresh, frozen, and processed forms. This consistent demand underscores the potato’s enduring popularity.
Where do potatoes rank in global food crops?
As a staple food for billions, potatoes play a critical role in global food security, ranking among the top crops for calorie and nutritional contributions. Their widespread cultivation supports numerous economies.
What is the difference between a potato and a sweet potato?
Potatoes are typically starchy with a savory flavor, offering vitamin C and potassium. Sweet potatoes are sweeter, contain more fiber and Vitamin A, and have a distinct orange or purple flesh, making them botanically quite different.
National Tater Day Activities
Dig into some delicious sweet potatoes
National Tater Day originally celebrated sweet potatoes, and it was this specific variety that the 1843 trading convention focused on. However, over the years, the word ‘tater,’ first only used for sweet potatoes, has expanded to include and celebrate all types of spuds. But going back to the roots, sweet potatoes should be given their due attention and fanfare because it is thanks to them that we can celebrate all types of taters today.
Try new recipes
When we say that there are a ton of scrumptious potato recipes out there, we mean it. This versatile vegetable has a special place in many cultures of the world, so you will never get bored with trying new things every single time. Grill it, caramelize it, add it to soup — the sky's the limit.
Gift potatoes
Got some extra taters in your life? Want some extra love in your life? Gift them to your family or friends or those in need. Never waste food because this is one lesson that taters have taught through history.
5 Facts About The Tater Tots That Will Blow Your Mind
Tater tots made from leftover scraps
These little munchkins came from the excessive leftover scraps of french fries, and in order to not waste these, tater tots were invented.
Americans have a big tater tot appetite
It is estimated that Americans consume more than 70 million pounds of tater tots every year.
Tater tots naming contest
When tater tots were invented, a naming contest was held, and Clora Orton’s suggestion won.
Homemade tots is not where it’s at
Tater tots go through a rigorous 12 step process through industrial equipment, and this is why homemade tater tots often do not taste as good as the store-bought ones.
Tots have different names
Tater tots are also referred to as ‘potato royals,’ ‘potato gems,’ and ‘spud puppies.’
Why We Love National Tater Day
It’s a celebration of the potato pop culture
If you are an avid social media user/follower, you will know how much potatoes are loved and celebrated on the internet. From memes to songs to just pure love, potatoes have received it all like no other food item has.
It’s a celebration of taters’ universality
There are certain food items that are exclusive to just one culture or a few. These food items are part of a given culture’s identity. But in the case of our beloved tater, these are found in many cultures — as staple as salt or water.
It’s a celebration of perseverance and determination
There’s much history attached to taters and their importance in relation to nations. Food shortages were solved by planting taters, but food was also destroyed when disease spread through tater crops. Yet, there is always light at the end of the tunnel and that was the case here too.
Social Media Tips for National Tater Day
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