A woman who's been preparing meals for less fortunate people, families and businesses in Airdrie for years out of her own home has been temporarily forced into inactivity.

Kimberley Ford of Airdrie is know in the community as the 'Souper Lady'. For years she has been preparing soup, sandwiches and sometimes more elaborate meals in her home. Last Easter, Ford and two others, prepared 22 fully cooked turkeys with all the trimmings for families in need in Airdrie. Recently, she's been gifting lunches to Airdrie businesses to thank them.

Now, Ford's charitable efforts have been shut down temporarily because of health regulations. Ford did not realize that any food that's prepared for the public, even if it's given away, must be prepared in a licensed kitchen.  

"They (health inspectors) told me that whether or not you're charging for food or donating food it still has to be done in a licensed kitchen if it's given away to the public. She was actually very pleasant and just said that we have to stop the production of food and giving it away from your home until you can find a licensed kitchen to do it in. There's lots of rules and regulations. No children can be present and I have three small children myself, and you can't have pets. You basically have to have a separate kitchen from your actual living area."

Fortunately for Ford and the people who benefit from her generosity, it doesn't look like she'll be out of commission for long.

"I've actually been graciously donated a kitchen here in Airdrie to cook out of, which is awesome. Kaidy Morgan from the Social Supper is letting me use her kitchen so that I can continue to do the charity work and the gifting of food to the community."

Ford says there are a few other things she must attend to before she can resume cooking and giving away the food to Airdrie families.  

"I have to get a food handling course completed as well as get a license and I have to get a few forms filled out for the health inspector and we'll meet her at the Social Supper and she can give me the okay to get over there and start cooking and giving away soup and meals to Airdrie families."

Ford says the toughest part of the entire ordeal has been not being able to do what she loves.  

"It's eating me up inside that I can't cook for the community right now but I'm trying my best to get back at it as soon as I can."

Ford says she completely understands the move by the health inspectors to curb her food giveaways.  

"They have their job and duty to protect the public. It's just part of their job.It's put a bit of a setback for me but it's in my heart, I don't want to stop doing it so I'll do everything in my power to make sure it still happens." 

 

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