Hunger and homelessness are huge issues. But charitable groups that want to help out have been hampered by a state law that generally requires those handing out free food to get food-service permits as if they were restaurants or caterers.
A law that takes effect in January will provide some relief. Assembly Bill 2178, by Assemblywoman Monique Limon, D-Santa Barbara, allows small charities to provide the needy with prepackaged food after registering with counties as limited-service charitable feeding operations. They must follow "best practices" in food distribution. It's a good law.
Worries about health and public safety are appropriate when it comes to food distribution, but fears can also go too far. In January, El Cajon officials took heat after at least a dozen people, including a 14-year-old, were arrested and given misdemeanor citations for providing food to the homeless at Wells Park. The charges were later dropped. The arrests followed the El Cajon City Council's temporary ban on distributing free food at public places during the county's deadly hepatitis A scare. Councilman Steve Goble called the policy "caring, appropriate and responsible." Another view? It was excessive.
Can we all now agree that the simple humanity of handing out prepackaged food in a state with nearly 5 million "food insecure" individuals should override any concerns? Thank you, Monique Limon.
