Types of Mobile Food Establishments
Mobile food or temporary food establishments are mobile food units, food carts, seasonal permanent food stands, or seasonal temporary food stands that operate either on a limited basis or in a transient manner, moving from location to location. Temporary food establishments are commonly associated with, but not limited to, farmers’ markets, carnivals, county or city fairs, or any temporary event.
The MDA licenses temporary food establishments that generate the majority of sales from prepackaged foods (sold to the consumer in the original packaging), baked goods, popcorn, nuts, candy, and snow cones/shaved ice.
Each place of business is required to have a separate license to operate. If you are operating at more than one location at a time separate licenses are required for each location or type of operation as a separate place of business. Additionally, operating outside of the requirements of a specific license type, such as expanding service and preparation areas including cooking outside of a self-contained mobile food unit, may require a separate plan review and or license. Operating outside of the requirements of a specific license type, some mobile or temporary food establishments require plan review.
While facility requirements for each type of mobile or temporary food establishment vary slightly, the requirements for employee health and hygiene, cleaning and sanitizing, cooking and temperature controls, and approved sources are consistent with other retail food establishments. All requirements can be found within the Minnesota Food Code.
For more detailed information regarding the specific types of mobile or temporary food establishments please see the links below:
- Seasonal Temporary Food Stand
- A food and beverage service establishment food stand which is disassembled and moved from location to location, but which operates no more than 21 days annually at any one location.
- Mobile Food Unit
- A food and beverage service establishment that is a vehicle mounted unit, either motorized or trailered and readily movable, without disassembling, for transport to another location.
- Seasonal Permanent Food Stand
- A food and beverage service establishment which is a permanent food service stand or building, but which operates no more than 21 days annually.
- Retail Food Vehicle/Portable Structure/Cart
- This type of business operates up to 365 days per year and can sell prepackaged food or raw produce only. A plan review is not required for this license.
- Food Carts
- A food and beverage service establishment that is a nonmotorized vehicle self-propelled by the operator.
- Special Event Food Stand
- A food and beverage service establishment used in conjunction with celebrations and special events and operates no more than 10 total days within the applicable license period.
- Other helpful resources for special event food stands: Special Event Food Stand and Special Event Food Stand Checklist.
If you are seeking a license for a temporary establishment that primarily sells the following types of foods, please contact the Minnesota Department of Health for more information:
- Food service concessions (sandwiches, hot dogs, other meals); or
- Beverage service concessions (soft drinks, coffee, beer, or other beverages sold by the glass or prepared/dispensed per customer order); or
- Ice cream dipping/scooping or ice milk (does not include packaged only ice cream treats/bars or snow cones/shaved ice).
Lettuce Connect
Food & Feed Safety Main Line
651-201-6027 MDA.FFSD.Info@state.mn.us
Licensing & Registration Food & Feed Safety
651-201-6062 MDA.Licensing@state.mn.us
HACCP/Variance Questions & Plan Review
Retail HACCP and Variance: MDA.HACCP.Variance@state.mn.us
New Construction or Major Remodels: 651-201-6194 MDA.Plan.Review@state.mn.us
Licensing Questions New Business: 651-201-6081 MDA.FoodLicensingLiaison@state.mn.us
Emergency (Fire, Flood, Natural Disaster, etc.) or Complaints
Food complaints: 651-201-6064 or after hours 651-201-6027
Reporting Foodborne Illness: 1-877-FOOD-ILL
Food Emergencies State Duty Officer: 1-800-422-0798
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