Application Guidelines for Food Vendors
It is the responsibility of each special event food vendor to be in full compliance with the following requirements. Failure to comply will result in Public Health's refusal to allow operations or lead to enforcement actions.
Vendor application
Provide contact information and types of food you wish to bring to the event directly to the event coordinator.
Vendors are no longer required to submit an online application through this website. Work with your event coordinator to ensure you have the necessary set up for the type of food you will be providing (such as power, handwashing, access to potable water).
Food safety requirements
Before your temporary food service event, review the temporary food service standards. These are the minimum standards to help you provide the safest food possible and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Food source
- All foods must come from approved and inspected sources
- No home prepared food is allowed to be sold or distributed
- If serving soft serve ice cream, a copy of the sampling report must be provided
Food storage
- Foods must be protected from contamination and stored in food-grade containers
- Raw meats must be kept separate from cooked meats, vegetables or any ready-to-eat foods
- Food and food supplies must be raised 15cm (6 inches) off the ground
- Food on display must have sneeze guard or other protective covering
Food transportation
- Hazardous foods must be transported at 4°C (40°F) or lower for cold held foods, or 60°C (140°F) or higher for hot held foods
- Mechanically refrigerated vehicles are required. Transportation of hazardous foods packed in coolers with ice needs approval from Public Health.
- Foods are to be covered, wrapped or sealed during transportation
Mechanical refrigeration
- Mechanical refrigeration is required onsite and must hold hazardous foods below 4°C (40°F)
- Coolers with ice can only be used if mechanical refrigeration is also provided
- Internal thermometers must be present in all refrigerators and coolers
Cooking and hot holding
- Store hot foods at 60°C (140°F) or higher
- Use probe thermometer to monitor temperatures
- Hazardous foods must be cooked to the appropriate temperatures for a minimum of 15 seconds
Utensil wash and sanitizing surfaces
- A two compartment sink or two containers must be available to wash, rinse and submerge utensils in sanitizer
- Potable water, soap and sanitizer must be onsite at all times
- Bring multiple sets of utensils
- Wiping cloths must be stored in sanitizer buckets or disposable cloths with spray bottles. Sanitizer can be made by mixing 1tsp bleach to 1L water.
Probe thermometer
- Probe thermometer must be onsite to check cooking, hot holding, reheating and refrigeration temperatures
Temporary hand wash station
- All water must come from a potable source
- Potable water must be available onsite for all food vendors
Garbage cans
- Garbage containers with lids must be provided
Food handlers
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before handling food, after handling money or raw meats and after each break
- Food handlers must not work if they are ill
- Food handlers must wear clean clothing and hair restraints
- Do not smoke in the food preparation area
Sampling
- Single serving utensils, squeeze bottles or individual serving portions only
- Samples must be kept covered and protected from cross-contamination (such as sneeze guard)
- No bare-hand contact is allowed
- Any hazardous products must be kept mechanically refrigerated
- Small sampling dispensers that would allow for frequent turnover/refills can be held submerged in ice baths
A public health inspector may be onsite during the event to conduct an inspection of the food vendors' booth.