Before it was a Halloween icon, this candy was called chicken feed
Today, candy corn is a polarizing seasonal staple, but its origins lie in a late 19th-century effort to market agriculture-inspired treats to rural America. Originally known as chicken feed, this tri-colored confection has evolved from a year-round penny candy into a massive industrial phenomenon.
Invented in the 1880s by George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company, the candy first entered production in 1888. At the time, confectioners were creating various nature-inspired shapes, such as clover leaves and turnips, to appeal to a largely rural society. While the candy was originally known as "chicken feed," its distinctive yellow, orange, and white layers eventually came to represent the colors of a fall harvest.
For much of the early 20th century, candy corn was not strictly a seasonal treat. It was sold as an affordable "penny candy" that could be enjoyed throughout the year. It wasn't until the 1950s, with the rise of individually wrapped treats for trick-or-treaters, that it solidified its status as a Halloween mainstay. This shift was further cemented by targeted October advertising and the candy's resemblance to corn kernels.
The industry today is dominated by Brach's Confections, part of the Ferrara Candy Company, which holds an 85 percent market share during the Halloween season. Brach's alone produces approximately 7 billion pieces annually. While the manufacturing process has transitioned from hand-made slurry to automated "corn starch modeling," the core ingredients—including sugar, corn syrup, and honey—remain largely consistent with the original recipe.
The candy's popularity remains highly contentious, often described as a sweet that people either love or hate. Beyond the traditional flavor, modern variations have expanded into holiday-specific themes like "reindeer corn" for Christmas and "freedom corn" for Independence Day, even venturing into bizarre flavors like hotdog and hamburger in 2022.
Source: Candy corn
