A message from Skylar Wolff, Food Safety Specialist:

We have two license options for temporary food vendors:

1.) a single event license, or 2.) an annual license for a temporary food establishment.

 

A Temporary Food Establishment License must be obtained from the appropriate Regulatory Authority and can be applied for here:  https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/food-hotels/apply-food-license

 

Single event Temporary Food Establishment license applications we ask that these be submitted a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the event for processing and approval.
 

• A single event temporary food license is valid for an operational period of no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with one event.

 

Annual Temporary Food Establishment license applications we ask that these be submitted a minimum of  30 days prior to the first event for complete processing and approval.
 

• An Annual Temporary Food Establishment License is an annual license that allows a vendor to operate a Temporary Food Establishment in conjunction with one event at a time within the state of Iowa.

• Persons who operate simultaneously at more than one event within the state are required to have a separate license for each food stand.

• **Annual Temporary Food License Applications not received, processed, and approved prior to operating will require a single event temporary food license until the annual license is approved and issued. 

 

Requirements for Temporary Food Stands can be found HERE.  

The “Temporary Food and Beverage Operation Guide” (a printable PDF that you can share with your vendors) can be found HERE (Basic Requirements tab) as well as requirement Videos.

 

Important Notes:
 

• All License Applications must be filled out completely.  Applications not filled out properly will be returned and will delay the processing and approval times.

• A separate license must be applied for at each location where food production, sales or service take place.

• Temporary Food Establishment licenses are non-transferable between locations or ownership.

• Penalty fees will be assessed if the application is not received, processed, approved, and issued prior to the event.

• The approved license will be sent to the e-mail address provided.  If no e-mail address is available, the permit will be mailed (please plan accordingly).

• The temporary food stand operator is responsible for printing their license and bringing it to the event where it must be displayed in the food stand within the public’s site.