Michigan Rep. Questions Health Department After Kids Told to Pay $57 Lemonade Stand Fee
Health officials cite Michigan food safety law, while a state lawmaker says government should not be charging children to sell lemonade.
ROGERS CITY, Mich. — State Rep. Cam Cavitt on Monday criticized District Health Department No. 4 after concerns were raised about permit requirements for children operating a lemonade stand at a farmers market in Rogers City.
According to Cavitt, the health department informed the children that they would need to obtain a temporary food service permit costing $57 every two weeks in order to sell lemonade at the market. The permit fee would apply in addition to vendor participation fees already required by the market.
Cavitt, who represents Cheboygan and surrounding communities, called the requirement unnecessary and said the policy sends the wrong message to young entrepreneurs.
“The failing District Four health department is underwater by millions of dollars; instead of fixing their money problems internally, they’re pushing the bill onto school-aged children,” Cavitt said in a statement. “Why on earth are we bullying and penalizing kids for the grave crime of having a lemonade stand? Is the state of Michigan so desperate for funding that we have no other option aside from stealing a child’s lunch money? It’s completely unnecessary and District Health Department No. 4 must stop giving out these citations.”
If you are not yet signed up to my newsletter click below to make sure you are signed up.
In response, District Health Department No. 4 said Michigan law requires food vendors serving the public to obtain permits, even for low risk operations such as lemonade stands at organized events.
In a statement to media outlets, the department said its food safety program offers temporary food service permits for vendors operating at farmers markets and similar events. Under the previous fee schedule, the permit cost $57 for a two week period and required an application and approval from a food safety staff member.
Health officials said the process includes providing vendors with guidance on proper handwashing, avoiding bare hand contact with food or drinks, and ensuring acceptable sources for water or ice.
The department emphasized that the requirement stems from the Michigan Food Code, which requires individuals preparing or serving food to the public to obtain a permit from their local health department. Officials also said the law does not provide exemptions based on age.
“Please note, there were no citations issued related to a lemonade stand by our department,” the health department said in its statement.
Cavitt said the issue goes beyond fees and raises broader concerns about encouraging young people to learn basic business skills.
“We’re supposed to be teaching our children about responsibility, but we’re pricing them out of the opportunities they need to develop real business skills,” Cavitt said. “We need the health department to simply leave them alone. Kids don’t pay taxes and they shouldn’t have to pay for absurd health department permits either.”
Cavitt called on the health department to stop issuing citations to children and reconsider how permit requirements are applied to youth vendors at community events.