Ruling on paying zakat al-fitr in cash

He says: If the person who owes zakat al-fitr wants to pay cash instead of wheat, barley, or other such items, is this permissible or not?
Answer: This is not recommended. No, the majority of scholars hold that one pays zakat with food, not with cash. This is because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) paid with food, and so did his Companions, and so did the majority of scholars, most of them. Therefore, it is not recommended to pay cash; rather, it is obligatory to pay zakat al-fitr with food. This is what is obligatory.