National Tater Tot Day is observed in the United States every February 2, celebrating the popular potato-based frozen food known as tater tots. Invented by the American frozen food company Ore-Ida in the early 1950s, tater tots are made from grated potatoes shaped into bite-sized cylinders, originally developed to utilize leftover potatoes from French fry production. Although they initially struggled to gain popularity due to their low price, consumer interest surged after a price increase. Today, approximately 70 million pounds of tater tots are consumed annually in the U.S. They are commonly served as a side dish in school and college cafeterias and are available in grocery stores. In the Upper Midwest, tater tots are also a key ingredient in hotdish, a casserole dish that includes meat, vegetables, and cream of mushroom soup. To celebrate, many enjoy tater tots on this day.