Institutional food
What to know
Businesses that need a license
The following businesses need an institutional food license:
- Charitable dining halls
- Commercial child-care centers
- Emergency shelters with dining rooms
- Hospital cafeterias
- Public, private and charter schools
- Senior independent living facilities
Businesses that do not need a license
We do not require an institutional food license for:
- Home-based daycares
- Residential homes with a Minneapolis Board and Lodging license
- Veterans' homes, nursing homes or group homes licensed by the state, county or federal government
Application and fee
Application
Institutional food businesses in Minneapolis are required to be licensed.
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.
Green To Go
Minneapolis has rules about containers for prepared food.
Food and beverages prepared to be:
- Eaten immediately off-site or
- Taken to-go
Must be in containers that are:
- Reusable
- Recyclable or
- Compostable
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
Environmental Health
Minneapolis Health Department
Phone
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Business Licenses & Consumer Services
Phone
612-673-2080
Fax
612-673-3399
Address
Public Service Building505 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
Food Plan Review Team
Mohamed Yusuf
Jim Donovan
Janna Beard
Address
Public Service Building
505 Fourth Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55415