[145] Now at that time a certain guild had prepared a meal for the Saṅgha (saṅghabhatta). In the refectory many grains of rice were scattered about. People complained, criticized, and spread it about, saying: "How can the ascetics, sons of the Sakyan, not receive respectfully the boiled rice that is being given? Each single grain of rice is brought to completion through a hundred labors." Bhikkhus heard those people complaining, criticizing, and spreading it about. Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. … "Bhikkhus, I allow you, when something being given falls, to pick it up yourselves and eat it. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, that has been relinquished by the donors."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.