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'Piegate' Nabs Homemade Treats

Pa. food inspectors crack down on sale of non-commercial goods

By Amelia Atlas, Newser User

Posted Apr 10, 2009 10:47 AM CDT

(Newser) – 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.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

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)

Baker Jason Lee takes pies out of the oven at Hannah's Pie Bakery, an official pie kitchen. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

A woman prepares a homemade pumpkin pie. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

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Once again, you've got the heavy hand of government coming in. These ladies bake pies, out of the goodness of their hearts. - Pennsylvania state Sen. Elder Vogel Jr.

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'Piegate' Nabs Homemade Treats