One Illinois Town Supplies Most Of World’s Canned Pumpkins

The state of Illinois is famous for lots of things, but did you know that the pumpkin capital of the world is located in the Land of Lincoln?

Illinois Is Home To The Pumpkin Capital Of The World

If you're a fan of Halloween and enjoy all the festivities involved with the holiday, then Illinois is the perfect state for you. There are so many fun activities across the state throughout the whole month of October. I have several great childhood memories of growing up here. When I was a kid, I really liked picking a pumpkin at a local farm and then taking it home to carve it. Little did I know back in those days that Illinois is famous for pumpkins.

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According to Morton, Illinois Tourism...

As the ideal place for Autumn tourism and visitors, Morton is known as the Pumpkin Capital of the World because 85% of the world’s canned pumpkin is packed in the Nestles/Libby’s plant located in the center of our Village.

 

a pile of pumpkins sitting next to each other

You might be able to score a free lunch from one of your co-workers with this Halloween fact. Illinois is the pumpkin capital of the world. This is no joke. It's really true. The town is Morton, which is located in central Illinois. Back in 1978, former Illinois Governor James Thompson officially gave the town that title.

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Here are some stats to back up that title. 95% of the pumpkins in the United States are grown in Illinois. 85% of the canned pumpkins are processed at the Nestlé/Libby's Factory in Morton. The town hosts a huge pumpkin festival every fall, attracting thousands of people to the event. I think that's a pretty cool thing to be known for.