Temporary Food Vendor Permits

Gemini Crow Sauce Company

Gemini Crow Sauce Company

Just looking for any opinions or experiences with dealing with the process?
 
In my first official year being out there, I have done farmers markets, food shows, flea markets, craft fairs, a car show, and some pop culture/horror/comic book conventions.
 
Several weeks ago, at the flea market I was approached by the towns health department, asking for my temp. food license for the day. I pleaded ignorance as the vendor application did not state that 'food' vendors were required to secure one. I had all the official paperwork from my co-packer handy as well as my insurance and such. That appeased the person, but was still told that next time, I needed the permit which will cost me $50.  Kinda sh*tty, when the table for the day only cost me $30.
 
Still trying to figure it all out. 
Some shows will mention it on their application if one is needed or not, and some don't.
 
I spoke to my local health department and he says the guidelines can be interpreted by each city. Some care. Some don't. Some give the permit for free. Some charge. Some will let you do it for the season. Some make you do it per event. No rhyme or reason.
 
I wanna play by the rules.
Is it safe to say that for every event that I do, where it is not specified on the vendor agreement, that I should reach out to that cities health department to see if it's required or not? Do I save that for just the bigger events? Or could a health department employee show up at a high school gym with 10 vendors one day? Is this just a scam by each city to bring in revenue?  I am set up to do a ton of shows the next 6-8 months, and to possibly be 'required' to secure a permit that I am charged for, kinda sucks...LOL
 
just curious how others have dealt with, or handled this situation. Advice welcome.
 
 
 
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Here in St. Louis, the permits are handled by the counties or the city of St. Louis.  STL County is great, they just charge $50/year or per 120 days of operation, whichever comes first.  STL City charges $50/day.  Ouch.  St. Charles County charges $50 for 2 weeks.  The safe bet is to assume you always need one and plan ahead.  Another vendor told me he sells his salsa over on the IL side and the county just doesn't care about a health permit.  I say no way am I going to set up w/out first checking.  Aside form STL City, everything here seems to be controlled by the county, so I have more "room to roam".  Also, some of these shows don't normally have food vendors, like flea or craft shows.  They may not be aware of the health permit regs.
 
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Wow, just frigging wow.  I could understand such a fee if we were talking ready to eat foods and someone was inspecting your mobile facility for preparing that food.  They have to get paid somehow.  But if you are talking sealed grocery products, hot sauces n what not, which is already prepared in accordance with state regulations then I think the word is scam.  What do you get for that fifty bucks?  Someone walking around checking to make sure you paid it?

Have run into various towns that insisted that anyone selling anything had their town's special daily vendor's permit and charge a special tax for their little location above and beyond what the state and county insist.  I dont go back.  Too much to keep track of.
 
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PepperDaddy said:
Here in St. Louis, the permits are handled by the counties or the city of St. Louis.  STL County is great, they just charge $50/year or per 120 days of operation, whichever comes first.  STL City charges $50/day.  Ouch.  St. Charles County charges $50 for 2 weeks.  The safe bet is to assume you always need one and plan ahead.  Another vendor told me he sells his salsa over on the IL side and the county just doesn't care about a health permit.  I say no way am I going to set up w/out first checking.  Aside form STL City, everything here seems to be controlled by the county, so I have more "room to roam".  Also, some of these shows don't normally have food vendors, like flea or craft shows.  They may not be aware of the health permit regs.
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Agreed. I just hate the idea of speaking with a town rep and telling them my vending intention, and have them tell me "we in a million years would have not thought to goto the car show to check for food vendors. thanks for telling us..the permit is $50!"    DOH!!  LOL
 
I think I'd rather bring it up with the event organizer and let them do the ground work since they are putting it on. 
 
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Check with the event coordinators first.  They should know if something is required.   
 
It is pretty rediculous to have to get a food permit for giving out hot sauce samples.  I'm assuming you are using single use spoons and a squirt bottle or similar.  No bare hand contact, no dipping in a common bowl.    When selling the refrigerated salsa, sometimes I'd have to get one, but I didn't do a whole lot of events outside of the FM, which I did have to get a county permit for the season. 
 
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salsalady said:
Check with the event coordinators first.  They should know if something is required.   
 
It is pretty rediculous to have to get a food permit for giving out hot sauce samples.  I'm assuming you are using single use spoons and a squirt bottle or similar.  No bare hand contact, no dipping in a common bowl.    When selling the refrigerated salsa, sometimes I'd have to get one, but I didn't do a whole lot of events outside of the FM, which I did have to get a county permit for the season. 
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Y
eah, I use the little ecotensil spoons. No flesh contact at all.
 
It just gets me that in one town a permit is not required, the next town a permit may be required but it's free, and the next one wants $50.00 for one....Makes me question the legitamacy of the law and really makes me think it is just a cash grab for some cities.
 
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Every festival I do I have to get a "special event permit"

They vary in cost depending on the event & duration.

I've complained about this before on this very forum - I have an annual health permit for my farmers markets or the entire country, but I then need a "special event" permit for doing the same thing in the same county.

Total money grab.

That saidX check your paperwork from the event - they always either tell you that you're responsible for this, or they charge you an additional fee when you pay for your booth.

It sucks, but it's SOP. I've done events in 4 states and 20 counties - it's been the same thing every time.
 
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As the unofficial coordinator of the Northwest Chilefest, held annually near Seattle, WA...I can tell you for certain there are no temporary food permits required!
 
 
Now that you know,  when y'all gonna get yer fannies up here?  :lol: 
 
Scott, that would put you at 5 states, 21 counties and 1 free event!  :woohoo:
 
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salsalady said:
As the unofficial coordinator of the Northwest Chilefest, held annually near Seattle, WA...I can tell you for certain there are no temporary food permits required!
 
 
Now that you know,  when y'all gonna get yer fannies up here?  :lol:
 
Scott, that would put you at 5 states, 21 counties and 1 free event!  :woohoo:
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Farthest I have travelled for an event so far is 3.5 hours. Amateur hour, yes....Slowly expanding my range but like I use to tell the bands I worked with back in my music industry days, 'you gotta conquer your home base before you start conquering the rest of the country'....
 
Ann, sign me up for 2023! I will be there!!
 
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2 day drive to party like it's 1999 and have others cook for you all weekend and it only costs about $20 to poach into someone's campsite.....WORTH IT!
 
 
G~Crow, you do realize the NWCF is a campout....not an actual event....but if you throw a couple cases of sauce on the table for sale...people will buy some and then you can write it off!  :D
SCORE!
 
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:rofl:    Something like that.....  ;)
 
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salsalady said:
:rofl:    Something like that.....  ;)
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57642-austin-powers-oh-behave-gif-Mi-RcZC.gif
 
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