Update #14: Toddlers and Popcorn
Toddlers and Popcorn—A Dangerous Combination
Popcorn should not be given to children under 4 because of the potential for choking.Many American families love popcorn—at the movies or at home. Even stores give out small bags of popcorn to its shoppers. It seems to be America’s favorite snack. And why not? It is delicious, healthy, and fun to eat.
But when can a toddler safely eat popcorn?
Be sure toddlers are at least 4 years of age before giving them popcorn.Pediatrician Dr. Jarret Patton notes that
there are many obvious food choking hazards for children: hot dogs, candy, gum,
grapes, nuts, raw veggies, and, yes, popcorn. A child’s ability to chew and
swallow foods is better at 4 years of age and older.
Little tyke eating popcornChild food choking is a leading cause of
injury in children under the age of four. In fact, every five days one child in
the US dies from choking on food. Unfortunately, one of those choking hazards
for toddlers is popcorn.
So, enjoy the family popcorn treat, but not
with toddlers. Please wait until your child is at least four years of age before introducing them to popcorn.
From: Romper
Fresh Popped Kettle Corn’s Secret
Fresh Popped Kettle Corn’s owners, Garry and
Iola Hofner, set up a tent at the Wyandot County Fair, and began making their
kettle corn. The process took about eight minutes from start to finish. Each
batch made eight to nine large bags.
Garry and Iola work from June to October,
going to events each weekend.
Garry and Iola use cane sugar in their kettle cornPeople everywhere they go love their kettle
corn. Why? Garry thinks it’s because he uses different ingredients that other
kettle corn maker use. For example, he uses corn oil rather than regular fry
oil, butterfly popcorn rather than mushroom popcorn, and cane sugar rather than
regular sugar.
Kettle corn ready to eatGarry believes his ingredients makes the
popcorn caramelize better. His customers agree, and buy bags in October to
freeze, then eat it during the winter. Customers tell Garry and Iola their
kettle corn is the best they’ve ever had.
Okay, while it may not be the healthiest
popcorn ever, it sure sounds like it’s one of the best kettle popcorn people
have eaten.
From The Advertiser-Tribune
Free Popcorn for Movie Goers
Free popcorn with purchase of a drink.Harkins Theatres in Arizona celebrated their
84th anniversary in September. To encourage movie-goers to celebrate
with them, the chain offered free (small) popcorn with the purchase of a drink
at all Harkins Theatres throughout the month of September.
Perhaps cinemas with movies that aren’t
drawing a crowd could encourage attendance by giving away popcorn on a specific
day to their patrons.
From: San
Tan Valley
Girl Scouts Float Wins Award in Popcorn Festival Parade
Valparaiso (right near my home town of
Michigan City) holds a Popcorn Festival Parade each year in September.
The theme of the Girl Scouts float was “Faces
of Girl Scouting,” and the award it won was the “Best Little Kernel Award.” The
float was decorated in cornmeal, popcorn, and other corn products.
Being a popcorn lover, former Girl Scout, and
former Hoosier, I was very pleased to read this article. Way to go Valpo Girl
Scouts!
From: The
Times Staff
