AYLMER, ON
During the semi-annual Mennonite church pantry inspection this week, Mrs. Martens was caught with more tomato cans than she needed for a lifetime and received a 3-month suspension of her pantry license, plus a $606 fine.
“We really can’t tolerate someone hoarding all the Aylmer tomatoes like this,” said Pantry Inspector Colin Toews. “Mrs. Martens’s pantry has been on our radar for a while and, believe me, we’ll be keeping a closer eye on her pantry from now on.”
Mrs. Martens was required to clean out her pantry and donate all the tomatoes to the local church faspa committee. Still, Mrs. Martens maintains her innocence.
“I’ve seen plenty of pantries in worse shape than mine,” said Martens. “Old pantries, dusty pantries, even some pantries that were completely bare. I don’t see why my pantry gets all the attention.”
Whatever the case, the folks who stock the local Mennonite church pantry are grateful to receive all the tomatoes.
“We’re just happy for the donation,” said Mrs. Falk. “We’re not even going to ask whose pantry these tomatoes came from.”
Mrs. Martens says she’ll be back at the grocery store this week and just hopes the authorities don’t make another unannounced pantry inspection.