"bake sales" news and stories

When I was in high school, the student council owned a cookie baker that allowed student groups to make fresh-to-order Mega Chips (a ubiquitous term in my school district for over-sized chocolate chip cookies) and sell them after school in order to raise money. I also have fond memories of various cookie, cake, cupcake and candy sales during my elementary and middle school years, all designed to separate kids and their parents for cash in exchange for something sweet. In those days, it felt like everyone was winning, but in current times, as the obesity epidemic worsens, parents and school officials are bringing and end to the sale of sweet treats on school grounds.

In California, officials are now having to ensure than any food sold in conjunction with a school event comply with strict dietary standards. In Connecticut, classroom birthday parties are a thing of the past, as schools there no longer allow parents to bring celebratory sugary goods.

Our sister site ParentDish has ponder this same issue, wondering whether keeping kids away from high-calorie foods is really the best way to solve the obesity problem. Bethany asks, "Cupcakes exist, even if we like to pretend they don't. So is it better to hide them away from kids, or to teach them that a treat is an occasional indulgence?"

What do you think?

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Somehow, I have managed to avoid bake sale participation in my life so far. Growing up in the days where homemade food was almost entirely banned from schools and classrooms, holding bake sales as fundraisers was never much of an option. However, I have always loved the concept of a bake sale and if asked these days, I would happily participate (and possibly even help organize).

For those of you who have real-life bake sales coming up, our sister blog DIY Life wants to help you make the most out of it. They've put together a post all about bake sales and how to make them as successful as possible. They offer a selection of useful tips, including a reminder to make sure to have a variety of treats at all price points, so that you can grab the buyer who just wants a small snack, as well as the buyer who wants a full-sized dessert for an upcoming potluck. If you're looking for a good cookie recipe, might I suggest The Best Cookie in the Galaxy, which is pictured above.

For those of you with in the trenches bake sale experience, what are your tricks and tips? Any sure bet winning recipes?

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