For the past decade, the Potsdam, NY Food Co-op has held a fund-raiser during the Holiday Season. Proceeds go to the Neighborhood Center. Out of a spirit of giving and friendly community culinary competitiveness , the fund-raiser has been called the "Co-op Holiday Bake-off." Last year the Co-op with the help of 27 bakers raised $1,037 for the Neighborhood Center's Food Pantry.
This week, attorneys for Pillsbury, a subsidiary of the General Mills Corporation, informed the Co-op that it "owns" the words "Bake-Off" and may take them to court for trademark infringement violations. In essence, it was a cease and desist order.
More after the fold
The manager of the Co-op, a friendly fellow named Scott Miller, searched General Mills Web Site and eventually found their "corporate commitment" page. Regardless of a stated endorsement of "Combating Hunger" through grants and donations, General Mills and Pillsbury are planning to remain steadfast in preventing others from using the two words "bake" and "off" together.
Scott called corporate headquarters and ended up discussing the issue with an attorney. He was told that "...at General Mills we are guided by our values. They are the source of our strength, and the heart of who we are. These values guide us to be involved in our communities and affect positive change." Then the attorney went on: "Our shareholders trust General Mills to deliver superior performance and superior total investment returns." The lawyer then noted he believed that, morally speaking, it is right and correct for General Mills not to allow anyone, for any reason, to use the term bake off. Scott's reaction? "Some value system!"
So fellow creative minds and souls, what would you offer as a new phrase for the Co-op to market it's contest in behalf of charity?
Entrants in the baking contest make two dishes of a favorite dessert and bring them to the Co-op for the competition on Sunday December 9. There are three categories: holiday desserts, holiday cookies and vegan desserts. The event is free and all are encouraged to participate. One dish is for sampling and voting; the second dish is for an auction, the proceeds of which are donated to the Food Pantry. The winner receives a cookbook of his/her choice from the Co-op's cookbook display.
One editorial in this morning's paper suggested to the General Mills legal staff that they "Go bite the Pillsbury Doughboy."
Information for this post was found mostly in "North Country This Week" 19 Depot Street, Potsdam, NY 13676.