Strawberry shortcake could become Florida’s state dessert

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida already has an official state pie — key lime — however may quickly designate strawberry shortcake because the official state dessert.

The Home Public Integrity & Elections Committee unanimously permitted a invoice Wednesday to bestow the dignity on strawberry shortcake after some good-natured scrutiny.

“As a fan of key lime pie, I’ve just a little concern that this might prioritize (strawberry shortcake) as a state dessert,” stated Republican Rep. Erin Grall, who requested invoice sponsor Rep. Lawrence McClure if he would amend his invoice to make the tasty deal with the official state cake.

“It feels just a little bit such as you’re making an attempt to have your cake and eat it too,” replied McClure, a Republican from Plant Metropolis, which is the center of Florida’s strawberry trade.

McClure launched the measure by saying, “That is the sweetest invoice you’re going to listen to all session. I’m not making an attempt to take the important thing limelight away from the state pie.”

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The Plant Metropolis space has 10,000 acres of strawberry fields that produces 75% of the nation’s winter strawberry crop, in line with the invoice language. McClure stated strawberries are a billion-dollar financial driver for the area and he hopes the designation will carry consideration to the significance of the crop.

Democratic Rep. Allison Tant had two questions for McClure: “Within the invoice … it talks a few wholesome dollop of whipped cream. What’s that, precisely? How do you measure a wholesome dollop?”

“I don’t know,” McClure stated.

“The comply with up query I’ve is, why don’t we’ve something to pattern in the present day to resolve if this can be a good invoice?” Tant requested.

Republican Rep. Chuck Clemons questioned whether or not the invoice would depart the state open to accusations of discrimination.

“I learn the invoice and nowhere in it does it outline quick,” he stated. “I’m actually involved (about) desserts which may be greater than quick, possibly even tall. … We would like outreach and inclusion on this form of state dessert.”