New Bill Would Protect
Baked Food Sale Volunteers
Reacting to recent news reports that inspectors have cited churches and volunteer groups for selling baked goods that are not prepared on site, Senator Richard Kasunic (D-Fayette County) plans to introduce a bill that would exempt churches, volunteer fire companies and veterans’ organizations from the law.
Senator Kasunic says the controversy in western Pennsylvania has pitted families who have donated baked goods and other items at charitable events for generations against state Agriculture Department inspectors going strictly by the letter of the law.
He says the state inspectors recently cited a church organization in nearby Beaver County because parishioners baked pies at home rather than on-site.
In addition, a local city health officer recently stated at a public meeting that local churches or organizations serving food to the general public would need to comply with the law by obtaining a business license and submitting to surprise inspections.
Senator Kasunic says it’s important to fix the law because he does not want to discourage churches, volunteer fire and veterans’ groups from continuing to bake and prepare foods for events at their church or volunteer organization’s events.
“My bill protects a positive and worthwhile social and charitable function that is part of the fabric of Pennsylvania communities,” Senator Kasunic said. “I will work to rectify this law (Public Eating and Drinking Place Law of 1945) as soon as possible.”
The legislation is being drafted and should be introduced in the state Senate in the very near future.
Senator Kasunic says the controversy in western Pennsylvania has pitted families who have donated baked goods and other items at charitable events for generations against state Agriculture Department inspectors going strictly by the letter of the law.
He says the state inspectors recently cited a church organization in nearby Beaver County because parishioners baked pies at home rather than on-site.
In addition, a local city health officer recently stated at a public meeting that local churches or organizations serving food to the general public would need to comply with the law by obtaining a business license and submitting to surprise inspections.
Senator Kasunic says it’s important to fix the law because he does not want to discourage churches, volunteer fire and veterans’ groups from continuing to bake and prepare foods for events at their church or volunteer organization’s events.
“My bill protects a positive and worthwhile social and charitable function that is part of the fabric of Pennsylvania communities,” Senator Kasunic said. “I will work to rectify this law (Public Eating and Drinking Place Law of 1945) as soon as possible.”
The legislation is being drafted and should be introduced in the state Senate in the very near future.
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