Seasonal food permit
What to know
What they do
Seasonal food vendors may:
- Provide ready-to-eat food
- Provide packaged food
- Resell produce
You must get a seasonal food permit even if you have a:
- Restaurant license
- State retail or state mobile food license, such as a:
- Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Mobile Food Unit
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Retail Mobile Food Handler license
Who they are
These vendors may be:
- Wild harvesters, which are vendors who:
- Sell products grown and harvested on land that is not owned or leased by the harvester
- Are licensed according to Minnesota law or City ordinance.
- Farm processors, which are vendors who:
- Sell products that are grown, raised or harvested on land owned or leased by the farmer
- Have products with added ingredients that are not grown, raised or harvested by them on their land
- Are licensed according to Minnesota law or City ordinance
Short term food permit
If you are vending at only one event in a season, you need a short term food permit.
Requirements
Seasonal food vendors
- You may only sell or give away foods and beverages approved on the seasonal food permit application.
- You must be part of a City permitted event or farmers market.
- At each event or market, you may operate a maximum of two stands per permit.
- A seasonal food permit is valid for one year, from April 1 through March 31.
Handwashing
- You must have a handwashing station where food is being prepared or packaged.
- Lack of required handwashing stations will result in immediate closure.
Refrigeration
Seasonal food vendors must use mechanical refrigeration to keep Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods cold.
Storing TCS foods on ice is not allowed.
Equipment
Food equipment must be accredited or certified by:
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
Application
Electronic application
You can submit your application electronically. This is our preferred method.
Submitting your application online is safe and secure.
PDF application
Contact 311 to request a PDF application. 311 will setup a request to have an application mailed or emailed to you.
Fees
City fees
The annual fee for a seasonal food permit is $257.
You may be charged a late fee of $100 if you:
- Submit your application within 2 weeks of the first event
- Request expedited processing of your application
Statewide hospitality fee
The State of Minnesota is now charging an additional fee for all food vendors that request permits in the city of Minneapolis.
The additional fee is $50.
Other City fees
How to become a vendor
Public events
At public events, you need an invitation from the event food sponsor.
Farmers markets
At farmers markets, you need an invitation from the market manager.
If you want to become a vendor in a Minneapolis farmers market, contact the market manager.
Resources
Event food stand training
Seasonal and short term vendors can learn how to run a food stand at Minneapolis events.
The training:
- Is free
- Takes about 20 minutes to complete
- Is available in English and Spanish
Food vendor materials
You can use our event checklist and guidelines to have a successful event.
Both are available in English and Spanish.
Food safety materials
The Minneapolis Health Department has food safety materials for you to use.
Contact us
Minneapolis Health Department
Environmental Health Permit
Phone
612-673-2301
Address
Make payment in person at:
Public Service Building
Minneapolis Service Center
505 Fourth Ave. S., Skyway level
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Mail a payment to:
Minneapolis Environmental Health
505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 520
Minneapolis, MN 55415