Dateline, Fairfax, VA: Freshly Baked Handouts Forbidden in Fairfax - County Says Health Of Homeless Is at Issue

Under a tough new Fairfax County policy, residents can no longer donate food
prepared in their homes or a church kitchen -- be it a tuna casserole, sandwiches or even a batch of cookies -- unless the kitchen is approved by the county, health officials said yesterday.

They said the crackdown on home-cooked meals is aimed at preventing food poisoning among homeless people.

Homeless people may have a difficult time finding a good meal, but in Fairfax they can be sure that they won't get food poisoning. I could get food poisoning tonight when I go to Lone Star Steakhouse. Should that be banned? Should my home kitchen be certified? Are too many homeless people getting sick from free meals? What an insult to all the volunteers who have donated time, money, and effort to help out less fortunate people.