Health department warns Harrisburg woman needs a permit to serve free breakfast
Fri, August 21, 2026 at 6:17 PM
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Kathy Kite sits in the kitchen where she prepares free breakfast every morning for anyone who comes by. (Photo – KRCG Sarah Cummings)
Kathy Kite was born and raised in Harrisburg, Mo
Every morning, she wakes up at 3:30 to prepare free breakfast for members of the community
KRCG
Kite said the morning routine started after the local gas station stopped serving its breakfast
“One day we we’re all taking about it and it was suggested that I cook breakfast. I said, ‘okay,'” she said
Since late spring, she has been serving hot coffee and making breakfast burritos and biscuits
Kite said she cooked the meals to make sure everyone had good food, and to be a gather place for the community
“It’s just comradery and it’s love.”
But in July, she received a letter from the City of Columbia/Boone County Health Department
The letter warned of a code violation and said she would need a permit to continue
“When I opened my mailbox and I read that, I thought, ‘What am I doing wrong?’ Why would somebody turn me in when I’m giving. I’m not charging anybody anything.'”
Kite said some people do donate to help pay for ingredients but the breakfast is free and no one was expected to pay
A spokesperson with the health department said the informational letter was sent following a food safety complaint
The statement said, “Under the code, an event is considered “public” if members of the general public can access food or drink, regardless of whether money is exchanged.”
Private events, such as closed family gatherings or invite-only events, did not fall under the food permit requirement
The statement further read, “The department has not threatened jail time, nor has any enforcement action been taken. Our priorities are food safety, education, partnership and to ensure local events are both successful and safe.”
Since Kite received the letter, she said community members and beyond have rallied around her
Her list of supporters included the Goldwater Institute, a public policy think tank
The group responded to the health department with a letter of its own. In it, Director of Allied Litigation Dave Roland, argued Kite was within her rights to hosts guests in her home and to serve food on a non-commercial basis
Kite said she had not heard from the department since Roland’s letter was sent
“They’re trying to keep me from doing it and I’m going to keep doing it,” Kite said. “Because at 3:30 in the morning when I open my eyes and think, ‘Why am I doing this? What is in it for me?’ And then these guys get in here and we get to laughing and talking and joking, I’m like, ‘This is why I do it.'”
Read the health department’s full statement below:
Following a food safety complaint, a standard informational letter was sent to Ms. Kite. Per the City of Columbia and Boone County Food Code, any public event serving potentially hazardous food requires a permit. Under the code, an event is considered “public” if members of the general public can access food or drink, regardless of whether money is exchanged. Private events, such as a closed family gathering or invite-only events do not fall under this requirement
This initial outreach is meant to start an open dialogue, outlining clear steps to help individuals and businesses operate safely and come into compliance with local regulations. Our health inspectors actively work alongside community members to help them succeed while protecting public health. The department has not threatened jail time, nor has any enforcement action been taken. Our priorities are food safety, education, partnership and to ensure local events are both successful and safe
