Wanita and Dan Andress, Andress’ Your Independent Grocer, Smiths Falls, Ontario PHOTO BY theWedge.LIVE

By MAGGIE M, Editor, Wedgee-in-Chief, theWedge.LIVE

It’s that romantic time of the year again–that time when children leave the nest each day to progress in life. It’s back-to-school time.

For many parents, parting is sweet sorrow. Sniff. Sniff.

The moment is well-captured by Wanita and Dan Andress now grandparents and empty-nesters. They stocked the yellow school bus at Andress’ Your Independent Grocer entrance to overflow with school snacks–and a “handmade” heart.

September ushers backpacks stocked with new pens, notebooks and devices. Feet with sparkling new shoes. Coifs with fresh cuts. And stuffed lunch bags, their contents awaiting discovery at the sound of the bell.

“O no! Carrots? A pita pocket with… WUH? A salad with tomatoes? A green juice box?,” many will protest. “Can I trade for your PB & J?”

How do you get them to love healthy foods? Aye, there’s the rub. A little Oreo bribery may be in play.

Steve Akeson serves Beef Stroganoff for school nights while performing slide-step. Andress’ Your Independent Grocer, Smiths Falls, Ontario PHOTO BY theWedge.LIVE

“Just tell them it’s beef,” Steve Akeson said of the mushrooms visible in the Beef Stroganoff presented at the Tasting Hut, an easy dish for school nights. I facepalmed on this reply. (But the Stroganoff was good.)

Kids have a built-in radar for exotic foods. Mushrooms can hardly find a disguise that will escape their taste buds.

The wheels on the bus stopped whirling.

The antics of our famous grocery couple made my job easy–again. These seasoned actors on the set require no direction. Dan stacked up kids’ snack boxes so high and fast in Wanita’s arms he disappeared from the camera’s eye.

And so the wheels fell off.

Wanita and Dan stock kids’ favorite snacks in the school bus at Andress’ Your Independent Grocer, Smiths Falls, Ontario PHOTO BY theWedge.LIVE

Add Steve Akeson at the Tasting Hut performing moves from “All that jazz” and you’ve got an ensemble cast. You can hardly rejig your camera settings fast enough.

What started as romance concluded with comedy. After all, it was Friday at Andress’.

Clever container sets for school lunches at Andress’ Your Independent Grocer, Smiths Falls, Ontario PHOTO BY theWedge.LIVE

Answers to good food for kids may be found in President’s Choice™ impressive reusable container systems for kids as shown above. PC™ Snaps Together All-You-Need Storage System (shown above left) includes 4 containers, 4 lids and 2 ice blocks.

It’s a thoughtful idea to keep food fresh and safe. The smaller blocks can hold dipping sauces.

The containers clasp together like Lego™ blocks. This contributes to the fun factor.

PC also features Yogurt-to-Go containers (shown right above) with a re-freezable ice pack. It includes a granola holder, a lid, an ice pack and a portable cup. And they are all BPA-free. This popular take-out format is now available to shoppers in reusable form.

This easy recipe can fill one container and is sure to be a hit.

RECIPE : Ham & Melon Kabobs (by Jean Pare original series)

Need 6 toothpicks. Those frilly party ones will increase the fun.

• • thick ham slice (about 2 oz., 57g), cut into six 3/4 inch (2 cm) cubes
  • cantaloupe, cut into twelve 3/4 inch  (2 cm) cubes

Arrange two cubes of cantaloupe with one cube of ham in between on each toothpick. Makes 6 kabobs.

Clever PC Water bottles for school lunches at Andress’ Your Independent Grocer, Smiths Falls, Ontario PHOTO BY theWedge.LIVE

Clean water in President’s Choice water bottles with five re-usable ice cubes–colour coordinated–will be popular with kids. Again, these are BPA-Free.

When food is fun you can sneak-in good things under the radar. Mushrooms, maybe not.