Temporary Food Events
A Temporary Food Establishment Permit Application (SOLICITUD PARA EL SERVICIO TEMPORAL DE ALIMENTOS ) is needed for food establishments that operate at a fixed location in conjunction with a single event or celebration. A late fee of $25.00 will be charged if the application and payment is received less than three business days prior to the event (includes the day the payment is received, excludes day of event). Applications must be filled out completely.
A Reoccurring Temporary Food Service Permit Application (SOLICITUD PARA EL SERVICIO TEMPORAL DE ALIMENTOS RECURRENTES) is needed for food events that operate at a fixed location on the same day(s) each week for an extended period of time such as a farmers' market. These permits are specific to location and cannot be transferred to a different even or location. All applications must be received at least 3 days before the first even occurrence to avoid a late fee.
Review the Temporary Food Establishments Requirements for important information about operating requirements, food safety, and handwashing stations.
Some vendors may be exempt from permit. The list for exempt food items can be found on the Exempt From Permit Applicaiton. All applications must be received at least three days before the first event occurrence. If you have questions about this application, please contact the Health Department at (509) 524-2650.
A temporary food establishment is a food establishment that operates at a fixed location, with a fixed menu, for no more than 21 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration, such as a fair or festival: or
Operating not more than three days a week at a fixed location, with a fixed menu, in conjunction with an APPROVED, recurring, organized event, such as a farmers’ market.
A public event is any organized event advertised in any way to the public, such as flyers, newspaper articles or ads, radio, or social media. A public event is open to the public and offers food during the event. The requirements do not change if the food sold is for profit or provided at no charge.
Examples include fund raising events, customer appreciation day, grand openings, community festivals, concert events, craft fairs, heritage festivals, sporting events, monster trucks, etc.
Examples that would not be considered an event, operating a temporary food establishment every Friday at a store not associated with any other special activity, operating a temporary food establishment at your home, or business on a regular basis.
Permitted food establishments are not exempt from temporary food establishment permits even though they may currently have a permit. Permitted food establishments who choose to operate at a temporary event must apply for a temporary food establishment permit.
If you use ice chests, ensure you have enough ice to completely submerge food so that it can hold food at 41°F or less. Keep ice chests and refrigerators out of direct sunlight. Equipment must hold food at 135°F or hotter. Stern chafers are not allowed at events unless the event is indoors and less than four hours. You must have a thermometer to ensure foods are holding properly and are cooked to the proper temperatures. A 3-basin dishwashing setup (wash, Rinse, Sanitize) and produce washing setup for anyone washing produce.
For more information on setting up and operating temporary food establishments, please see the application for Temporary Food Establishment Operation.
For one day events you may, bring enough extra utensils for the following: to change out utensils every four hours, to replace dropped utensils and to replace other contaminated utensils. You must change utensils that come in contact with Temperature controlled foods every four hours if utensil cleaning facilities are not available on site.
If you are to wash utensils on site you must have an appropriate basins, to wash (warm Water), Rinse, and sanitize. These basins must be able to be properly drained and refilled at the event as needed.