Strawberry shortcake could become Florida’s state dessert

Meagan Gumpert – photographer & visual storyteller

Meagan Gumpert – photographer & visual storyteller

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida already has an official state pie — key lime — but might soon designate strawberry shortcake as the official state dessert.

The House Public Integrity & Elections Committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday to bestow the honor on strawberry shortcake after some good-natured scrutiny.

“As a fan of key lime pie, I have a little concern that this would prioritize (strawberry shortcake) as a state dessert,” said Republican Rep. Erin Grall, who asked bill sponsor Rep. Lawrence McClure if he would amend his bill to make the tasty treat the official state cake.

“It feels a little bit like you’re trying to have your cake and eat it too,” replied McClure, a Republican from Plant City, which is the heart of Florida’s strawberry industry.

McClure introduced the measure by saying, “This is the sweetest bill you’re going to hear all session. I’m not trying to take the key limelight away from the state pie.”

The Plant City area has 10,000 acres of strawberry fields that produces 75% of the nation’s winter strawberry crop, according to the bill language. McClure said strawberries are a billion-dollar economic driver for the region and he hopes the designation will bring attention to the importance of the crop.

Democratic Rep. Allison Tant had two questions for McClure: “In the bill … it talks about a healthy dollop of whipped cream. What is that, exactly? How do you measure a healthy dollop?”

“I have no idea,” McClure said.

“The follow up question I have is, why don’t we have anything to sample today to decide if this is a good bill?” Tant asked.

Republican Rep. Chuck Clemons questioned whether the bill would leave the state open to accusations of discrimination.

“I read the bill and nowhere in it does it define short,” he said. “I’m really concerned (about) cakes that may be more than short, maybe even tall. … We want outreach and inclusion in this sort of state dessert.”