And So Begins the War on Bake Sales

This week we have heard the opening shots of the War on Bake Sales. (And you thought Cupcake Wars was just the name of a Food Network show …)


Banned in Boston!
(Photo: thecupcakeblog.com)



 Greeley, CO school officials recently banned all sweets, even for fundraisers held outside of the school. They’re such food Nazis that even banned diet soda! Only treats made from an approved recipe that includes black beans will be allowed. Black-bean brownies? Uh, no thanks.

But that was just one school district. The entire freakin’ state of Massachusetts has now banned bake sales.

One parent told the Boston Herald, “The goal is to raise money ... You’re going to be able to sell pizza. You’re not going to get that selling apples and bananas. It’s silly.”

On the other hand, Sen. Susan Fargo (D-MA), says the child obesity “crisis” has made the ban an unfortunate necessity. “If we didn’t have so many kids that were obese, we could have let things go,” Fargo is quoted in the Herald. “But this is a major public health problem and these kids deserve a chance at a good, long healthy life.” Because we all know how many lives have been cut tragically short by bake sales and candy-bar team fundraisers. Out with lemon bars and in with Leninism – we have a crisis on our hands, comrades!

Are we the only ones who suspect that the parents, officials, and legislators who are anti-bake-sale would be A-OK with distributing condoms at school?

5/14/12 Update: After the public outcry, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said he will lift the bake-sale ban, although the state health department says the ban will still apply in cafeterias during the school day. It's interesting how quickly Massachusetts, one of the most liberal states, reversed course. The food nannies definitely went too far with this one. Parents know when their authority is being usurped.