Tariq, the social media sensation now known as “Corn Kid,” is sharing his favorite food with others in a big way this Thanksgiving.
The 7-year-old Brooklyn native, who went viral for a video declaring his love for corn, was at City Harvest in his hometown on Monday afternoon with Green Giant, alongside the Jolly Green Giant—the brand’s mascot—donating 50,000 cans of corn for Thanksgiving meal boxes. It is notably New York City’s very first food recovery center, as well as the largest.
The brand also gave away an additional 40,000 cans of other vegetables as well as limited-edition aprons that read, “I’m a giant fan of corn,” and featured Tariq’s voice sending holiday wishes at the event, which saw over 270,000 attendees.
Last week, Green Giant announced a holiday partnership with the corn enthusiast, where together, they will “elevate corn from a simple side dish to the star of the Thanksgiving table this year,” according to a press release.
Credit: Green Giant Press Release
“What is Thanksgiving without corn?” Tariq questioned. “Thanksgiving is practically a holiday about corn. I mean, every day could be a holiday if you get to eat corn at some point – but this is the one day that we get to stay home with family, watch a big parade, and then eat corn. Lots and lots of corn. It’s my favorite day of the year!”
The partnership involves the young sensation creating yummy new Green Giant corn-centered side dish recipes, appearing on the Harvest in the Valley float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, in addition to, of course, delivering donations of several cans of his favorite golden niblets.
“We are very excited to partner with Corn Kid this Thanksgiving as his enthusiasm for corn rivals that of the Green Giant himself,” Kristen Thompson, Senior Vice President & President, Frozen & Vegetables, B&G Foods, said in the announcement. “Corn Kid has a giant heart and we are thrilled to help him share his love of corn with his community this Thanksgiving with an enormous donation of our canned veggies.”
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The viral star was first featured in a video on Recess Therapy, which posts funny clips from interviews with host Julian Shapiro-Barnum.
The original video started with Tariq saying, “For me, I really like corn,” as he clutched his own grilled corn on a stick. Shapiro-Barnum then followed up by asking the child what he likes about the food. “Ever since I was told that corn was real, it tasted good,” Tariq adorably answered. “But when I tried it with butter, everything changed! I love corn.”
Music group The Gregory Brothers, also known as Schmoyoho on Youtube and TikTok, turned the interview snippets into a catchy remix that went viral on TikTok.
The Corn Kid was later named South Dakota’s official “Corn-bassador” with Governor Kristi Noem signing an executive proclamation declaring his new title. Tariq also visited the state’s Corn Palace.
Find Tariq’s recipes for “Corn Kid’s Corniest Mac ‘n’ Cheese” and “Corn Kid’s Corn Casserole” right here and try your hand at making them yourself for this year’s holiday gatherings!
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