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Community Corner

Whole Foods Market Gets Kids To Hone Their Presidential Palate

Store celebrates President's Day by featuring favorite Foods of America's First Families.

History and food made a delightful pairing, during a recent Kids Corner class at Whole Foods Market (WFM) in Lake Grove.

In celebration of President's Day, children were introduced to some favorite foods our First Families feasted on while dining in the White House.

The fun and educational session was hosted by the animated Tim Williams, WFM's healthy eating specialist and Kaitlin Moore, the store's marketing team leader.

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The forum focused on favorite foods of Presidents or things themed around Presidential history or achievements.

Kids were given a Presidential word search sheet and taught historical facts.

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"George Washington was the only President to be unanimously voted in, which means everyone voted for him," explained Moore.  "Because they knew he would be the greatest President."

In honor of the first President of the United States of America, Williams whipped up a smoothie consisting of apples from Washington State and organic cherries.  The latter being a nod to the endearing, but most likely apocryphal, tale of Washington confessing to chopping down the iconic cherry tree.  There were also some bananas thrown in for good measure.

"I don't know why they're in there, but they taste good," said Williams.

Ryan Breslin, 5, was pleased with the desultory addition.

"I could eat bananas all day and all night," he said.

"George Washington loved smoothies, because he had bad teeth," informed Moore.  "Because he had such trouble with his teeth, he made sure his horses had better teeth."

Ryan was joined by his brother, Danny, 3, and mother, Jean-Marie.

The family actually revealed having uncanny connections to two of our nation's presidents.

"[The boys] great, great, great grandfather made George Washington's wooden teeth," said Breslin.

Her best friend's mother was the caretaker and chef for Richard Nixon after he left the White House.  So, she probably often prepared his favorite breakfast which the children also got to sample:  A simple dish of fruit and cottage cheese.

Children were quizzed on some trivia questions such as:  Who was the youngest President ?

Moore offered the hint that he lived on Long Island in a place called Sagamore Hill, and entered office when his predecessor was assassinated.

It was Theodore Roosevelt, who was 42 when he became President.

"In 1787 Thomas Jefferson went to Italy and came back with a pasta machine," said Moore before segueing into Ronald Reagan's favorite dish, (no, not jellybeans) baked macaroni and cheese.

The youngsters also got to embark on a scavenger hunt after getting plenty of energy from trying out foods that the most powerful people in the world have enjoyed.

Hidden all over the perimeter of the store were pictures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Barack Obama.

Participants had to see how many different Presidential faces they could find placed throughout the store.

There was even a depiction of Washington attached to a help wanted sign, to which Williams quipped, "We're hiring ex-Presidents, as long as they have retail experience."

"It's great that they do this with the kids," said Breslin.  "My son has Asperger's [syndrome].  It's great to see someone take the time with him.  They're having a blast."

James Stewart, 10, of Rocky Point, found the most Presidential likenesses:  A whopping 15.

His mother, Yvonne, was glad her son was given something exciting to do during a routine trip to the food store.

"I love that Whole Foods does this and gives something to the kids while moms shop — and we love the samples," she said.

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