Important message for 2021 

During the time of Lent, many parishes offer weekly or periodic Fish Frys. During this time of COVID-19, it is necessary to adjust the protocols by which these events are offered by our parishes. It is extremely important to follow these guidelines to ensure the safety of all and adherence to health and food safety codes in your local jurisdiction.

• •  Due to the need to limit the number of individuals gathering at the parish for this type of event, it is required that food is made available for off-site consumption only. This can be done by offering carry-out or curb-side pick-ups. Under no circumstances is food to be served and consumed on site.
• •  With the requirement to offer curb-side or carry-out food services only, the parish must check with the local city or county health department to ensure the commercial kitchen license for the parish facility permits the operation of carry-out or curb-side food operations. If the parish does not have a commercially rated kitchen, then they must check with the local health department to confirm if it is permissible to provide carry-out in the absence of a licensed kitchen.
• •  All volunteers must adhere to social distance protocols, wear proper masks and follow all city and county health department guidance – both related to COVID-19 and food preparations.
• •  Given this activity is considered a “social gathering”, including those gathered to volunteer, your parish must comply with all limitations applicable in your jurisdiction for the size (number of people) of gatherings permitted in your area.
• •  If offering carry-out services, the number of individuals coming into the building at any one time for pick-up must be included in the head count for compliance with the gathering size.

It is understood that Fish Frys provide both an important social element and revenue to the parish. However, it is extremely important that care and caution is exercised in the offering so as not to create circumstances of possible exposure and spread of the COVID-19 virus.

It’s the season for Lenten Fish Frys! For a ‘taste’ of what these events are like, check out the above video from Kevin Parks about 2019’s ‘World Famous’ Fish Fry sponsored by the Knights of Columbus in Dundalk. See this page for a full list of fish frys throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore in 2021!