National Tater Tot Day

Celebrated on 02/02/2026

Quick Fact

National Tater Tot Day is celebrated on February 2nd, the same day as Groundhog Day. The holiday was created by the Ore-Ida company in 2009 to promote their tater tots, which were invented in 1953 when an employee came up with the idea of using leftover potato slivers.

Origins and Establishment of National Tater Tot Day

National Tater Tot Day was established in 2009 by Ore-Ida, the company that originally invented tater tots. The holiday was created to celebrate this beloved potato product and to encourage people to enjoy tater tots in new and creative ways. The date February 2nd was chosen to coincide with Groundhog Day, adding a playful twist to the winter holiday.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Since its inception, National Tater Tot Day has grown in popularity, with restaurants and home cooks alike participating. Many fast-food chains and diners offer special deals or limited-time tater tot dishes. Social media campaigns, such as #NationalTaterTotDay, have helped spread awareness, and the holiday is now widely recognized by food enthusiasts. Modern celebrations often involve making loaded tater tots, tater tot casseroles, or even tater tot tacos.

Facts & General Observations

• Over 3.5 billion tater tots are consumed annually in the United States.
• Tater tots were originally called “Tater Tots” as a brand name by Ore-Ida; the generic term is “potato nuggets.”
• The largest tater tot ever made weighed over 30 pounds and was created in 2015 by a food blogger in Oregon.

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