Unlicensed Home Baker~Can I Sell At School Fundraiser?
Business By korensmommy Updated 5 Feb 2007 , 7:39pm by UGoCakes
Hi,
By word-of-mouth, I have been asked to sell cupcakes/mini-cupcakes at a local elementary school's St. Patrick's Day Carnival fundraiser.
My husband is worried about the 'Cake Police' (funny, since I am an actual police officer!)
Can I sell cupcakes without breaking the law?
Can I have cards with my name/number/e-mail address *only* to hand out.
Can I donate a certificate for a free cake to be raffled off?
Thanks!
As long as there is no policy at your school that prevents you.
Some school are no longer accepting donations of baked goods from home bakers.
Check it out and just don't TURN YOURSELF IN...lol!!!!
Sometimes 'donated baked goods' intended for the participants (like work bake sales) are not checked by the food police. It is when the sales are to the 'general public' that they sometimes check for licensed vendors.
If you were at a Saturday market for example, they would be checking for a license-in some states.
Thanks for your advice, I'm new to decorating and appreciate all the help I can get to hopefully make some money off this hobby! RisqueBusiness, I LOVE all your cakes/cookies!!
Most states allow for school fundraisers and church fundraisers. You should be okay. I would check who ever handles food issues in your state (here it is the ag department, but the health department is a good place to start if you don't know)
K's mommy thank you for the compliment...the person running the bake sale should have things covered, you can ask them to make sure..and if they asked you to bake the goods..then I think you'd be safe from the "cake police"..lol
I think since you are donating and not making money it's ok. Handing out business cards may be a little risky. Like soliciting business.
Here if it is a bake sale, even to the public, it is ok as long as there is a sign stating that the items are made at individuals homes.. something like that. I would think the people running the sale would know but would check to be sure.
I know here in our tiny little town, when the schools have fundraisers, all parents are asked to donate baked goods...it's understood that people are doing the baking in their own (unlicensed) kitchens.
I don't know if that's the case everywhere.
I'm not sure about the business cards, I guess if it's just your name/number/email, technically it could be called a 'calling card' not a 'business card'
Just a bit of info....having fun PTA bake sales.....make sure each of the things you offer are individually packaged. None of that cupcake on a plate stuff. So far in 3 states I have been in you have had to have them wrapped. I just wanted you to know in case you did not, we actually had to turn stuff away! I felt so bad! they were just trying to help and boy were the ticked! Also....try to stay away from any nuts. Don't say they don't have nuts but there are the kids that have the allergy so badly they can get it from others eating the PB cupcake.
Good luck and hopefully this does great for you!
Julia
I too have been wondering about being a home baker that is unlicensed. If you are unlicensed is it safe to sell your cakes to others for money. I worry about being sued if somebody gets sick or has an alergy attack after eating my cake. Also, what are the penalties if you get caught by the "cake Police"?
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