Health Dept. Shuts Down Lemonade Stand

Julie, a 7-year-old has learned a lesson about what happens when the government tries to help.

We are led to believe that Julie was breaking the law, selling lemonade.
It didn't matter that she washed her hands, or used an ice scoop, she just didn't have a license to operate.

When the health Department showed up and asked for their license,they explained they didn’t have one,it was then that justice was served.
The health department operative told them they would shut down or possibly face a $500 fine.
Eventually two reinforcement inspectors came back,. Julie started crying, while her mother packed up.
But it was then others confronted the inspectors mocking the scene, saying, “You’ll never sell lemonade in this town again, little Girl!”

"When you go to a public event and set up shop, you’re suddenly engaging in commerce,” Eric Pippert, (manager for Oregon’s public health department)said.“The fact that you’re small-scale I don’t think is relevant.”

Here we see bureaucrats shutting down lemonade stands, and to us, this one of the consequences of Big Government, when it comes to being the food police.

Jeff Cogan, chairman of Multnomah County, says the health inspectors were "just following the rule book" but they should have given the girl and her mom a break. He also talked with Julie's mom to apologize.

"A lemonade stand is a classic, iconic American kid thing to do," he said, "I don't want to be in the business of shutting that down."

But that's exactly what your people did.

Her mother, says Julie appreciates the apology.

We have decided here at the Voodoo Kitchen not to forgive so easily, it's too little too late.

But lemonade stands at the Portland art fair might not yet be over.
One vendor at the local arts fair is planning a "lemonade revolt" the next time the fair is held - later this month.

Cogen says he doesn't know what he'll do if a bunch of fair vendors try selling lemonade without a license.