Seasonal food permit

An annual permit for food and beverage vendors at farmers markets and public events.

Free event food safety training

Seasonal and short-term vendors can learn about food safety for Minneapolis events. The training is free and takes about 30 minutes to complete.

About

A vendor with a seasonal food permit can take part in farmers markets and public events in Minneapolis.

Seasonal food vendors may:

  • Provide food intended for immediate consumption
  • Provide packaged food intended for off-site consumption
  • Resell produce

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

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

 

Photo credit: Meet Minneapolis

farmers market

Requirements

  • You may only sell or give away foods and beverages approved on the seasonal food permit application.
  • At each event, 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.

Application

You can submit a permit application in two ways:

DocuSign

You can submit your application using DocuSign, which is our preferred method. It is all online and allows you to safely provide your credit card information.  

Submit DocuSign Seasonal food vendor permit application

PDF

You can submit your application as a PDF using email, mail or in person. Follow the payment instructions on page 5 of the application. 

Download the Seasonal Food Vendor Permit application

Seasonal Food Permit application in Spanish

Fee

The annual fee for a seasonal food permit is $245.

Payment options

We must receive applications and payments:

  • Two weeks prior to the event start date, or late fees will apply.
  • More than two business days prior to the event, or your event may not be approved or could be restricted.

Pay by mail: You can pay fees by check via mail. Make checks payable to: Minneapolis Finance

Pay in person: When paying in person, you can pay by check, cash or credit card.

Pay by phone: You can pay fees by credit card. City staff will call you to get your payment information.

Becoming a vendor

To become a vendor:

  • At farmers markets, you need an invitation from the market manager.
  • At public events, you need an invitation from the event food sponsor. 

If you you want to become a vendor in a Minneapolis Farmers market, contact the market manager.

Find a farmers market

Additional information

Mechanical 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.

Food equipment must be accredited or certified by:

Handwashing

Lack of required handwashing stations will result in immediate closure.

Checklists and guidelines

Green To Go

Minneapolis has rules about containers for prepared food. Food and beverages that are meant to be eaten immediately off-site or taken to-go must be put in containers that are:

  • Reusable
  • Recyclable or
  • Compostable

You must dispose of containers properly: 

  • Recycle recyclable containers 
  • Compost compostable containers  

Resources

Find food safety resources from the Health Department

Request accessible format

If you need help with this information, please email 311, 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

 

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

 
 

Minneapolis 311

 
 

Office hours

7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday – Friday