Before you begin 

Find out if you need this permit.

You need this permit if you are:

• Only sponsoring temporary pop-up food distributions
• A Minneapolis licensed food shelf also participating in pop-up food distributions

You do not need this permit if you are a food shelf operating in a permanent location. You need a food shelf license instead.

See Food Shelf Application

Requirements

You must:

• Follow State and City regulations:
  • See Minnesota Food Code
  • See Minneapolis Food Code
• Record some employee illnesses:
  • Read about employee illness
  • See Sick and Safe Time resources for food businesses
• Follow requirements for the type of food you are giving away:
  • Prepackaged shelf-stable food
  • Whole fresh produce
  • Prepackaged food that needs refrigeration
  • Prepared ready-to-eat food
• Have temporary handwashing if you serve prepared, ready-to-eat foods.

Food safety

You are responsible for food safety.

See City and State food safety resources:

• Minneapolis Food Safety
• Minnesota Food Business Safety 

Application

Community food distributions in Minneapolis must have a permit. 

See Community Food Distribution Permit Application

Fee

The permit fee is $1.

See a list of license fees

Submit your application  

Submit your application to Health Department Environmental Health Division

If you have questions, contact:

• 311
• Environmental Health

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

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

Read more about required containers

Read City code rules

More information

Complaints

Report a complaint about a food or restaurant business

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.