Rendell signs charity pie bill
CONNELLSVILLE – The governor has signed off on legislation that now allows home cooks to offer their baked goods to church organizations and other nonprofit groups to help raise needed funds. The law, referred to as the “pie bill,” was signed by Gov. Ed Rendell last week and now permits baking to be done at home and then the goods taken to church dinners, festivals and other events for sale.
The Senate bill was introduced by state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-New Sewickley, after a local church in his district was restricted from selling homemade pies at a Lenten fish fry.
The bill was supported by local lawmakers, state Rep. Deberah Kula, D-North Union Township, and state Sen. Richard Kasunic, D-Dunbar, as it made its way to the governor’s desk.
“One thing is certain, lawmakers in southwestern Pennsylvania understand that the ability for local organizations to sell food through bake sales, dinners and festivals is the backbone of their fundraising efforts,” said Kula in an earlier statement. “These groups are nonprofits that rely almost solely on the charitable donations of their friends and neighbors in their communities.
“While I introduced legislation last year that is identical to Sen. Vogel’s bill, I am just relieved that the organizations that rely on bake and food sales to fundraise can go about their business. For years, volunteers have gathered to lovingly prepare food that supports their cause, and easing restrictions will help them continue to do so.”
Connellsville health officer Tom Currey said that while he has yet to read the new legislation in detail, he believes that cakes, brownies and cookies and some types of pies will be able to be made at home and then transported to the sale location. However, desserts or other foods that must be refrigerated can only be prepared in a city-inspected kitchen, according to the new standards.
“Cream pies or desserts with meringue and the hoagies that are sold by the local fire departments, must be prepared in a kitchen that has been inspected,” he said. “Items that are not perishable can now be made at home.”
Currey came under fire last year from local churches and other groups when he imposed restrictions on selling food made at home and mandated cooking facilities in churches and clubs be inspected, as required by the state Department of Agriculture.
While in the past cursory inspections did take place, Currey prohibited the sale of food made in home kitchens or non-licensed or inspected church or club facilities.
Currey said that the organizations have complied with the law over the past year.
“I have not had any problems with any of the non-profits in the area,” he said. “A little education goes a long way.”
The new legislation does not exempt the kitchen facilities that sell food to the public from being inspected by Currey.
“The really nice thing about the nonprofit organizations is that they are filled with the best the city has to offer,” he said. “These are people that not only care about the city and its residents, they actually take the time to do something about it.”