Greetings all. Brand new to the FNO community and to outdoor food vending. We are an established popcorn company branching out into Kettle corn. Need to find out about health department inspections, the need for sinks and anything more that established food vendors care to share with a newbie. many thanks
bob
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Festivalnet.Com - Asheville
Wednesday, October 6, 2010 02:03 pm EDT
This comes from FNO Owner Kurt! He was a food vendor before the birth of FNO!
Dealing with county or city health officials can be a pain. There will be minor differences from county to county and from one product to another. With most festivals, you will usually be permitted on the spot (if at all), but it can change from event to event. Usually you do not need an ongoing permit in your home location. Avoid that if you can. Typical standard fair will be a triple sink wash arrangement for wash, rinse, sanitize (can usually be as simple as 3 buss pans), a separate hand wash set up with individual hand towels and test strips for the sanitizer water (H2O with a little bleach added). Depending on the product, you will need product temperature controls (and a way to test temp of products being served) cold storage (refrig and/or freezer) and fans or screening for fly control. Ask the event sponsor/promoter of an event you will be doing if the Health Department will inspect/issue permits to food vendors. If yes, contact them and ask what they will require for your product(s). After you go through a few inspections you will know what most are looking for and will not need to contact them ahead of the event. Present a very clean, organized, neat and well maintained booth and you will have fewer problems from inspectors.
Here is a little tip to help produce quick and successful inspections. Once you are all set up ready for them to inspect, leave some minor item un-done (like individual towels at the hand wash). They will point this out, you will apologize for forgetting them, immediately fix the problem by producing such required towels and everyone is happy. They feel they have done their job, you have been cooperative and all is well. Now you can carry on with the business of serving happy festival food customers! ;-)
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[removed]
Thursday, October 7, 2010 06:28 pm EDT
Many thanks Julie, this is very valuable. Just wondering if any food vendors out there are from PA. and care to share their experiences.
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Monday, January 16, 2012 03:51 pm EST
In our state of confusion also known as Indiana you will find that each county "can" and sometimes does have rules above and beyond what the state requires. I always call the county in question before applying and speak with an inspector to question them about any "extra" rules they may have before we decide to book the festivall.
