No need to worry that greeters will be foisting cookies on returning soldiers at Bangor International Airport any more: “airport officials asked the greeters to stop serving food last month because of concern about liability and food safety. ‘We just say, “We’re sorry, we can’t give out any cookies,”‘ said Bill Knight, a World War II veteran who founded the group.” (Katie Zezima, “Airport Tries to Rein In Greeters’ Generosity Toward Troops”, New York Times, Jun. 21). Other food menaces averted: Dec. 13, 1999 (homemade pies), Jan. 29, 2001 (school cookies, country fair pies and jams), Feb. 1-3, 2002, Jan. 18 and Apr. 28, 2007 (figurines in New Orleans king cake), Apr. 15, 2004 (potluck dinners), Jul. 18, 2006 (homemade baked goods in U.K. nursing home), and Apr. 28, 2007 (candy-wrapped toy).
Cookies-for-troops menace averted
No need to worry that greeters will be foisting cookies on returning soldiers at Bangor International Airport any more: “airport officials asked the greeters to stop serving food last month because of concern about liability and food safety. ‘We just say, “We’re sorry, we can’t give out any cookies,”‘ said Bill Knight, a World War […]
3 Comments
It looks like this is a splendid idea that got a bit out of hand. Homemade foods and foods the need to be kept hot are genuine health and safety concerns. It it were my decision, I would continue with the cookies from Sam’s Club (with a big thank-you for the donation), and ban other food items.
Ms. Hartford,
Most days a vast majority of Americans eat home-made foods. That is why we have stoves in our apartments and houses. What exactly are the risks associated with (non-peanut butter) cookies and pies? How do those risks compare to the risks of driving to an airport or flying on an airplane?
Good Grief! Enough already with the lawsuits!
Given that there’s been previous restrictions on welcome-home celebrations in Bangor, it smells less like genuine concern for soldiers’ health and more like stifling pro-America, pro-military activities.