fake fruit

today i was lucky enough to stumble upon this treasured lunch box food in my local super store. i chose this coveted green box over its neighboring granola bars, fish shaped cracker snacks, and other plasticy red colored sheets of glucose. anxiously, i ripped that familiar box open as soon as i got back to my apartment and unrolled that long strip of fruity goodness.

it was a rush of fond memories. i haven't enjoyed a classic fruit role up in years! i was suddenly and instinctively protective. i remembered how one of these paper rimmed candy rolls was a commodity and an asset to any ten year old at the lunch table. receiving a fruit by the foot in your lunchbox was like manifest destiny. with a roll of fruit by the foot, a kid could easily barter away for anything else on the table.

but why would you ever want to? with brain teasers and activities printed on the backing paper, each bite reveals more fun! (however cancerous ink and food seems to be...) short on time? the whole lot can be bunched up into a giant gelatinous ball to be sucked on during recess. it was so worth the cavities.

so here's to you, fruit by the foot, and all the good memories you inspire. see you at the dentist!