Food shelf

You need a license from the City to run a food shelf.

About

A food shelf is a nonprofit organization that gives food to people in need.

Food shelves collect, store, package and give away food.

In this section

What to know

Licensed businesses include

  • Food shelves
  • Food pantries
  • Food banks

 

 

If you prepare or serve meals, you must have an institutional food license.

See institutional food license

A food shelf may not sell any items.

Application and fee

Application

Food shelves in Minneapolis must be licensed.

Apply for a food shelf license

Fee

The license fee is $1.

See a list of license fees

Submit your application

Submit your application to Business Licenses

If you have questions, contact Business Licenses

Requirements

Before you begin

Look at our information about:  

Food safety

You are responsible for food safety. This includes control of food from preparation to serving customers.

See City and State food safety resources:

Record some employee illnesses:

Follow City and State regulations:

 

Food plan review

You must submit plans to: 

  • Open a new food or alcohol business, including:
    • Food carts
    • Food kiosks
    • Food trucks 
  • Remodel or expand an existing food or alcohol business 
  • Replace food equipment that needs any of these permits for installation:
    • Gas
    • Mechanical
    • Plumbing  
  • Add ventless cooking equipment or ventless hoods  

The City must approve your plans before you start any work.

See food plan review

More information

Inspection

Your food handling methods determine how often the City will inspect your business.

Disclaimer

The information on this page should serve as a guideline only.

Request accessible format

If you need help with this information, please email 3 1 1, or call 311 or 612-673-3000.

Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Contact us

Business Licenses & Consumer Services

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 220
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Office hours
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday – Thursday

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday

Environmental Health

Minneapolis Health Department

Phone

612-673-2301

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Food Plan Review Team

Mohamed Yusuf

Jim Donovan

Janna Beard

Phone

Mohamed Yusuf
612-673-2612

Jim Donovan
612-673-2795

Janna Beard
612-673-3529

 

Address

Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S. 
Minneapolis, MN 55415