How do you feel about baked sales, and gifts of food from people that you know only casually?

At a flea market I frequented weekly there was a sweet little man and woman that I’d stop an visit with. She was in a wheelchair and baked mini fruit pies to supplement their income. On day a cockroach ran across the table and the man just snuffed it with his thumb, never pausing in conversation.

Walmart used to let the local Amish set up in their lobby to sell baked goods. Although not cheap, the pies looked so good I bought one. Perhaps the worse pie I ever ate – the crust was like stale saltine crackers. The next time they set up, I mentioned something to the woman about the crust looking ‘different’ and she said, “Oh, yes, well we’ve had to modify our crusts so that they travel better.” Bleh.

What’s your criteria at a baked sale or eating food prepared by relative strangers outside of a certified kitchen? Do you eat anything that looks delicious? Only from people you know personally? I know I have refused to eat foods brought by a certain person at a carry-in, because their personal hygiene wasn’t the best.

I get pickier and picker the older I get—Until I get to a baked sale for a good cause with a bunch of little old ladies sitting around! I figure they keep each other honest. :)

Should I just give it up and enjoy?