11 yr olds cupcake "business" shut down by local government agency....

[AGDee]

I have a friend who lives in a very small town and a few weeks ago, when lots of folks were snow bound, she started cooking. She's a fantastic cook and loves to cook for people. She always makes enough to feed an army. So she called a neighbor and told her she had lots of extra and did she want some. The neighbor gave her money to cover the cost of the food. The next day, she did the same with another neighbor. She ended up feeding a different family each day that week because they were snowed in the whole week (she's a teacher and had snow days). She got a letter from the health department that she had to stop. She was sad. They suggested she open a restaurant. She was like "I just want to cook for people, I don't want a business."

I see both sides of it. But, where do you draw the line? What about bake sales? Those happen all the time. I'm not familiar with the law so I don't know when it becomes a problem. Then again, I've had co-workers refuse to participate in pot lucks at work because they don't know what kind of shape other people's kitchens are in!

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I see both sides of it. But, where do you draw the line? What about bake sales? Those happen all the time. I'm not familiar with the law so I don't know when it becomes a problem. Then again, I've had co-workers refuse to participate in pot lucks at work because they don't know what kind of shape other people's kitchens are in!

I don't know if it was a campus rule or a sorority rule, but we weren't permitted to hold bake sales while in college. I can completely understand why. We never questioned it. It would potentially create so many liability issues.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I see both sides of it. But, where do you draw the line? What about bake sales? Those happen all the time. I'm not familiar with the law so I don't know when it becomes a problem.

i can see how there might be a gray area, but what I note in the case in the OP is what I quoted—that the mother was willing to get the necessary licenses and permits for a business. That says that in that case, everyone understood the the kid was trying to run a business, not just have an occasional cupcake stand. The fact that her grandparents had bought her a refrigerator indicates the same thing. So, if you're trying to run a business, you've got to do it properly and comply with all laws and regulations.

[DubaiSis]

Originally Posted by AGDee

She got a letter from the health department that she had to stop. She was sad. They suggested she open a restaurant. She was like "I just want to cook for people, I don't want a business."

I see this as completely apples to car tires. But I would really like to know who narced on her about this tremendous generosity.

Several years ago one of my sisters broke her leg in 3 places (slipping on the ice) and was basically bedridden for a couple months WITH 2 little kids. A friend of hers, without asking permission, got a group of her friends together to schedule who would bring them food 3 times a week and who would pick up and drop off the kids at all their typical American kid activities day after day after day. They did it continually. I suppose my sister could have narced on them for providing limo service without a license.

[chi-o_cat]

Originally Posted by AGDee

Then again, I've had co-workers refuse to participate in pot lucks at work because they don't know what kind of shape other people's kitchens are in!

When we do potlucks at work, I’m always the one who signs up to bring plates, napkins, sodas, cups, etc. I would be so embarrassed if I brought in homemade food and someone found cat hair in it or something (I have 4 cats).