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Last week, John Stossel wrote about the trials and tribulations of opening a lemonade stand . . .  “Want to open a business in America? It isn’t easy.” It sparked a fire storm of comments. Read the full article here.

This isn’t the first time a story like this has received National attention. Last year, stories emerged all over from NPR to grassroots organizations about children’s lemonade stands being shut down because of improper business and food permits.

Lemonade Day supports all lemonade stands. We support every youth in America.

The lemonade stand is an iconic symbol of the American dream and the foundation of free enterprise. For many kids, operating a lemonade stand is their introduction to entrepreneurship. It teaches youth financial responsibility, the value of hard work, the joy of achieving a goal, making money, and the financial freedom to make their way in the world.

Of course government has a critical role in protecting the health of consumers. Food safety is a serious issue. Municipal health departments are essential in regulating professional food businesses that are run by adults. However, applying the strict regulations to lemonade stands is taking safety out of context. Let’s not let a law designed for food stores and restaurants get in the way of youth learning valuable lessons. Health inspectors should be empowered to use personal discretion when it comes to enforcing regulations on children’s lemonade stands.

Lemonade stands are childhood rites of passage. What is the risk to society if a young person sells lemonade on the corner. If government officials shut down stands, we risk the unintended consequence of crushing the entrepreneurial spirit of the next generation. What does this teach children about government? In these times our country needs innovators.

Photo Credit: Jeff Jowdy/ Jowdy Photography