On a bright and chilly March afternoon fourth graders set out to learn more about Thiru Kumar, a food vendor, whose business they had spent some time studying with the help of Debra Rawlings. In fact they modeled their own food vending math project after the numbers Kumar had shared with them. The weather had finally turned warmer and the fourth graders set out to meet Thiru in person.

They found Thiru Kumar at his food vending cart in the southwest part of Washington Square Park.

Simone, Dylan, Violet, Grace and Shoshi volunteered to be the lead reporters. They asked the questions, took notes, and ate some samples with their classmates. They also interviewed people in line.

Below is a compilation of their work.

When they first arrived, Thiru was very busy cooking for customers, so the reporters focused their attention on the people in line.

Fourth grader reporter to a customer: “Do you come to Kumar’s stand often?”

Gerard (person in line): “I come twice a week if it’s nice out. All of his food is under $7.00. His line is really long because lots of NYU students come to get lunch before their class starts. “


Luke (person in line): “I’ve come here before. I like the man himself and the food.”

Lindsey (person in line): “This food is delicious and I like to give my business to friendly awesome people.”

Shoshi also noticed, “Students can just give him money go around the back of his cart and grab food so they’re not late for class. His cart is open from 12:00 to 3:00 and only serves lunch. He started to be a food vendor in 2001.”

After waiting in line for a few minutes, the fourth graders made it to the front and placed an order for their classmates. While Thiru cooked for them, they asked some questions.

Fourth grader reporter: “Do you have an original permit?”

Thiru Kumar: “I have an original permit, everything is under my own name.”

Fourth grader reporter: “Why did you choose this spot?”

Thiru Kumar: “Because this is an international spot, people come here from all around the world. A lot of students from NYU come too.”

Fourth grader reporter: “Why are you a food vendor?”

Thiru Kumar: “Because I am a vegan and I like making vegan food.”

Fourth grader reporter: “Why did you come to the US?”

Thiru Kumar: “I came from Sri Lanka because I got a green lottery ticket.”

Fourth grader reporter: “What is your most popular item on your menu?”

Thiru Kumar: “My most popular item is the Special Pondicherry.” (a crepe made of lentils and rice and filled with vegetables).

Fourth grader reporter: “Where do you shop for food?”

Thiru Kumar: “I shop at the green market mostly and sometimes near Chinatown.”

Fourth grader reporter: “What’s your favorite part of your job?”

Thiru Kumar: “I like it because the people come from all over the world and they put me on tv and I like the people and everyone gets to see how I cook.”

Kumar finished cooking the dosas and passed them out to the curious and excited fourth graders. They took the crepes to their classmates who were sitting on benches and watching dogs play nearby. Everyone agreed that sampling Thiru’s fresh delicious vegan food was an excellent way to start spring break.

Happy Spring Break!