Via Starwars.com:

Made by Topps, this exquisitely bizarre set of Return of the Jedi candy containers immortalized several of our favorite characters as little plastic heads filled with chalky candy.

They never taught you this in school, but I assure you, it happened.

The candy was primarily in delis and corner stores, and guys, that was key. It was one thing to go into Kay Bee and walk out with Star Wars stuff, but these containers — colloquially known as “candy heads” — turned up in places where we’d never expect to find toys.

If you’re having trouble understanding why kids would get so excited over lightweight heads filled with questionable candy… now you know!