On October 14, celebrate the gold standard of sweetness – real sugar! The real sugar we stock in our pantry and use in many of our favorite recipes is grown by sugar beet and sugar cane farmers across the United States. National Real Sugar Day is a day to celebrate the people who harvest sugar crops, learn about sugar’s role in our food and in a balanced diet, and make and enjoy food made with real sugar.

Real sugar has been a part of our diets for thousands of years, and in addition to sweetness, there is so much to share about the many functions sugar has in food. Sugar is a versatile and irreplaceable functional ingredient in food. Without sugar, ice cream wouldn’t be so creamy, crackers wouldn’t be as crispy, and breads wouldn’t be so light and airy. Sugar is also used to balance acidity, add bulk, or prevent spoilage. With all these valuable functions, sugar can’t simply be replaced by another single ingredient.

Ways to Celebrate National Real Sugar Day

There are countless ways to partake in the National Real Sugar Day celebration, whether it’s baking a sweet treat to share at your workplace or showcasing your personal connection to real sugar, the Sugar Association encourages you to join in on the fun. They’ve prepared this downloadable toolkit for more information on how to celebrate!