Some Madison County nonprofits are backing a proposed bill that would make it easier for them to provide food for people in need.
House Bill 281 would exempt nonprofits and churches from some food service regulations that restaurants are required to follow. Kentucky’s food safety laws require all food served to the public be made in industrial-grade kitchens with specific standards, which churches or homeless shelters often don’t have access to.
Robert Duvall, a Republican representative from Warren County, introduced the bill during an agriculture committee meeting Wednesday.
“Obviously, the food still has to be wholesome and safe, and all those things, all those restrictions are still in the legislation, of course,” he said.
Kimberly Blanke, a volunteer with Room in the Inn Berea, said the change would make it easier to feed the unhoused.
“This House Bill, if passed, would allow things like potlucks at churches,” she said. “It would allow people to prepare food in their home and donate it here, because currently, it's putting a strain on people that want to volunteer and that want to help unhoused people.”
Room at the Inn Berea operates out of Union Church, which allows them to use their kitchen. Their volunteers also all have food licenses. But they worry a growing need could hurt other operations.
“Before last year, we would see 20, maybe 30 people,” said director Alysia Mora. “And this year we've put in our best efforts to meet as much need as there is. And so that means that we're actually seeing 50 people a night.”
The bill passed out of the House’s agricultural committee Tuesday and is now on the House floor. A similar bill was introduced during last year’s legislative session, but didn’t make it past the Senate.
