A group of students got to stroll through the aisles and soak in the atmosphere, taste test baked goods, and even get up close and personnel with a lobster.

Behavioral Health Associate’s Supporting Autism through Intensive Learning program at Mahoning Valley Academy, which serves autistic children, visited the Giant Food Store in Lehighton last week.

As part of the fund and interactive event, students received a guided tour of the store to learn about goods and services, and were able to enjoy some free samples along the way.

Jordan Kuhns, director of communications, Behavioral Health Associates, noted that for some of the students, it represented a first-time experience.

“Some of our students have never been inside a supermarket before,” Kuhns said. “This is a great opportunity for them to learn about the store and where everything is located.”

Kuhns said there were about a dozen students who were separated into two groups that went on separate tours where they got the run-down on each department.

Additionally, he said the students had free samples along the way, such as oranges, Dino nuggets, yogurt, and chocolate chip cookies.

“It’s an opportunity to get them somewhere they haven’t been to before; there’s a lot of sights and sounds in here,” he said. “Giant was very accommodating.”

A.J. Diaz, a seventh-grader, was grateful for the experience.

“I love the cookies, Dino nuggets,” he said. “I like being the store, the doughnuts, the flowers.”

Kevin Taylor, store employment associate, said the store holds a number of these events annually.

“It’s about community outreach, fostering goodwill,” Taylor said. “We try to keep it light and fun.”

Perhaps Cerissa Mantz, an educational therapist, summed it up best.

“It was a truly amazing day for us, teachers and students, to come to Giant and be so welcome,” Mantz said.