Temporary Food Service Events

A temporary food establishment is a food service facility that operates at a fixed location for not more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single community-wide event or celebration. Events include: a fair, carnival, circus, festival, cook-off, or gathering that is advertised to the public and includes ticket sales/ cover charges.

There are two options for how food can be provided during such occasions.

1. Establishments with a current Alabama annual mobile food permit (e.g. food trucks or push carts).In Jefferson County, food trucks/ push carts that have annual food permits from any county in Alabama may operate at an event if the permitted commissary is less than 100 miles from the event and the mobile food unit is returned to the permitted commissary every day. The permit must be prominently displayed inside the unit.
2. Establishments with a current food permit or other food vendors. The food service would be classified as a temporary food service establishment and must comply with the Temporary Food Establishment Requirements and complete the appropriate form(s):
   1. If the event lasts less than 24 hours, the organizer may apply for a permit exemption by completing the Application for Exemption, including a list of vendors and payment of $150.
   2. If the event lasts more than 24 hours:
      1. Each vendor must apply for a temporary food permit by completing the Temporary Food Service- Vendor Application. The application fee is $100 per unit, or $200 per unit when received less than 14 days prior to the event. Applications and fees may not be accepted if received less than seven days prior to the event.
      2. All organizers will need to complete the attached Temporary Food Service- Organizer Application. There is no application fee and is due 30 days prior to the event.

Please see:

• Temporary Food Establishment Requirements
• Temporary Food Service- Exemption Request
• Temporary Food Service- Vendor Application
• Temporary Food Service- Organizer Application
• Temporary Food Service- Vendor Checklist
• Temporary Food Service- Frequently Asked Questions
• Questionnaire & Guidelines for Sampler’s
• Mobile Food Unit - Permission to Operate Out of County