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It’s that time of year where everyone has one thing on their minds… CANDY! Even as an adult, I still want my treats on Halloween. I might not be willing to go door-to-door to get them, but if I’m dishing out some candy to trick or treaters, I want in on the action too.

Stores like Target, Walmart, CVS, and just about every supermarket begin stocking their shelves with bulk-Halloween-themed versions of commercial candy brands in August!

A big issue I have with easy-to-find Halloween candy located on multiple end caps in stores is that those bargain deals are for terrible ingredients. Companies like MARS, Nestle, and Hershey’s aren’t known for their ethical policies or quality ingredients. (Note: Hershey at least makes an attempt.) Ethics aside, if you or your child have allergies or special dietary needs, you can forget about these brands having an option for you.

Author’s Note: I’m not claiming to never have purchased from these companies or never consuming their products. If a Kit-Kat bar is in front of me and I’m in the mood for it, I’ll have it. I do make an effort not to seek these items out and will choose to put my money toward a better company with a product that chooses better ingredients whenever possible.

With all of that said, there has been major progress in the candy market. Brands I could only find online or in a health food store 12 years ago are now becoming available in chains like Target, Walmart, and Walgreens. While vegan, allergen-friendly, and more ethically-sourced candies aren’t easy to come by in affordable bulk quantities, these items are still great for parties, goody bags, or for your family to indulge in.