A Temporary Food Establishment is a type of food establishment that operates for a period of no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration, including carnivals, fairs, festivals, farmers markets, and other similar public gatherings.
If you are planning on operating as a food vendor at a temporary event in the Blue Ridge Health District (including Charlottesville City, Counties of Albemarle, Louisa, Greene, Fluvanna and Nelson) you will be required to obtain a Temporary Food Establishment Permit. Please submit the Temporary Event Application to the local Environmental Health Office where the event will be based. Please refer to the Temporary Event Guidelines to ensure all of the requirements have been met. A food vendor at a Temporary Food Event (TFE) must submit an application for a Temporary Food Event Permit if they meet at least one of the following:
- A firm/organization/company/business that is under an inspection program conducted by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) but will also make food onsite.
- Making food onsite at an event for the public.
- A gourmet food vendor who offers unpackaged samples of products to the public.
- A Mobile Food Unit that does not have a current and valid Virginia Department of Health issued mobile unit permit to operate.
- A demonstration cooking booth where samples are offered to the public.
- An organization that is a church, fraternal, school organization, 501 (c) 3, tax-exempt organization, and volunteer fire departments and rescue squads when the organization is not at their own event, only the application will be needed to be turned in no fee is required for these organizations.
- There could be other organizations or individuals not listed here that need to apply for a temporary vendor permit.
Once the inspection has been completed and the permit is issued the permit must be posted where it can easily be seen by the public and is only valid for the specified permit period. Please take note of the expiration date. Once the expiration date is getting close the temporary vendor can reapply for a new temporary vendor permit This permit is not transferable.
Please contact the local Environmental Health Department if you are not sure your operation meets the definition of a Temporary Food Establishment. Refer to Title Title 35.1-25 of the Code of Virginia for a list of exemptions to these requirements.
How to Apply
STEP 1: Event Coordinator submits application
The Event Coordinator completes and submits the Temporary Event Coordinator application to the local Environmental Health Office where the event will be located (EH locality contact list). As part of the application process the Event Coordinator must provide a list of participating food vendors with contact information and a layout map of the event to include location of toilets and waste disposal. Water supply should be indicated whether the site of the event will have access to a potable water supply that is public or that is private. If the potable water supply that will be available is from a private well the well water must have been tested at least annually for nitrates and total coliforms. Please see the regulations on water testing at 12VAC5-421-2100. Coordinators of events can also require vendors to bring their own water supply which must be from approved sources. Such as gallon bottled water jugs from a grocery store.
STEP 2: Vendor Applies for Permit
- Using the Temporary Event Guidelines (put link here), complete the Temporary Food Establishments Permit Application and Screening Questions.
- Temporary Food Vendors are required to submit a Temporary Food Establishment Permit Application to the local Health Department where the event is to be held (EH locality contact list).
- The completed application and fee must be received at a minimum of (10) days prior to the event.
Temporary Vendor Training Videos:
- Setting Up for Success
- Handwashing
- Glove Use
- Setting Up The Wash, Rinse and Sanitizer Area
- Food Separated and Protected
- Food Temperatures
- Consumer Advisory