INK has new partner

GAINESVILLE - J&J Foods has become the newest official partner with Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, or INK, the the interactive kids museum in Gainesville.

J&J will help create a "pint-sized, realistic, neighborhood grocery store" in the hands-on children's museum when INK moves to its new location, the Featherbone Center on Chestnut Street in June.

"We cannot think of a more obvious choice than for J&J to sponsor our grocery store exhibit, they will make an excellent addition to our neighborhood," says Sheri Hooper, Director of INK. "I cannot thank the team from J&J enough; they have been so supportive and I am overwhelmed by their generosity and willingness to help educate children in our community about topics such as math and healthy food choices."

J&J, Inc. President, Darrell W. Wiley presented child sized shopping carts to the board this week and informed the board of their plans for the store.

"Our plan is to stock the store with pretend foods, but in a realistic grocery store environment for kids. We're installing a real scanner/scale and cash register, just like most supermarkets use, and children can actually scan their groceries, weigh their produce, and print a receipt."

The exhibit will be designed for parents and caregivers to assist the little shoppers in selecting nutritional, balanced meals and how to understand the food pyramid. Visitors can take pleasure by using their imagination and skills by pretending to work in a real grocery store. The goal is for visitors, including educators, parents and caregivers to learn as they play.

"J&J Foods is one of the most recognized and respected retailers in our community, stated Dana Miller, INK's Marketing Director. "They were our first choice to sponsor our grocery store exhibit and we are thrilled that they agreed. It's very exciting to see how this community is rallying around our efforts to relocate to our new facility. Their expertise in the supermarket industry will be instrumental in designing the new exhibit."