'Piegate' Nabs Homemade Treats

Pa. food inspectors crack down on sale of non-commercial goods
By Amelia Atlas,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 10, 2009 10:47 AM CDT
'Piegate' Nabs Homemade Treats
Food inspectors in Pennsylvania have banned churches from selling homemade pies at their popular Lent fish-fry fundraisers, instead insisting the desserts be baked in licensed kitchens.   (Photo: Business Wire)

Homemade pies are under siege in Pennsylvania, as state inspectors crack down on commercial goods not baked in approved kitchens. The "piegate" affair started at a small-town fish fry, where the desserts are part of the Catholic parish's Lent fundraiser, reports the Wall Street Journal. Safety codes require use of the church's officially inspected kitchen, but one parishioners explains that they'd "rather just make them at home."

The ban has outraged the community, and local bakeries are donating pies to charity events to fill the void. Not everybody is falling into line, however. "We're ignoring it. Don't tell anyone," said one fish-fry director. And the outcry may prove enough to get the laws changed: One state senator acknowledges that officials "have more work on their hands than going after little old ladies baking pies.” (More Pennsylvania stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X