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Environmental Health: Monday and Thursday; 9am to 10:30am.

Temporary Food Establishments

Please read these temporary event guidelines for complete information before completing your application. 

If you have any questions please call our department 509.460.4205

   
You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to open these files. 

What is a Temporary Food Establishment?

 A Temporary Food Establishment (WAC 246-215-131) is where a person prepares or sells foods with a fixed menu at a fixed location for (a) no more than 21 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event, such as a fair, or (b) no more than three days a week in conjunction with an approved, recurring event, such as a farmers market.

 

Who needs to get a temporary permit?

 

All individuals or groups planning to hold events that serve food and are open to the public are required to obtain a permit. If you advertise (with newspaper, television or radio announcements, flyers, signs, banners or other means) to the public, you are required to get a permit.

 

Why is a permit necessary?

Food service is serious business, as is preventing foodborne illnesses. A temporary permit is required by state law (WAC 246-215). The state food regulation states that all retail food establishments must have a valid permit conspicuously posted in the establishment. The temporary permit is issued after consultation with the health department. We will review your application to find ways to increase your efficiency and safety, and possibly limit your menu or preparation steps to protect public health.

 

Where can I get a   permit application?

 

A Temporary Food Establishment Permit Application is available from the Benton-Franklin Health District (7102 W Okanogan Pl, Kennewick), by calling 509.460.4200, or you may print the application from the internet. Paying with a credit card? Click here to print a credit card payment form.

 

What are the requirements to operate?
  1. Complete the temporary application. Return the completed application to our office at least 14 days before the event. Applications received 1-13 days before the event will be charged a late fee, as noted on the application.
  2. Have your application reviewed and approved by one of the health department's Environmental Health Specialists.
  3. Pay the appropriate fee (the fee schedule is printed on the application).
  4. Make sure at least 1 person with a valid Washington State Food Worker Card is in the booth at all times.
  5. Post the permit and the completed food flow (supplied by the health department) in your booth.

 


 

Temporary Food Booth Guidelines

 

Temporary food booths must meet many of the same requirements as permanent establishments. Because of the lack of certain facilities however, temporary food booths also have restrictions that do not apply to other establishments.

As a temporary food booth operator, you are responsible for maintaining your booth to meet Washington State food service (WAC 246-215-131) requirements.

 

These guidelines will help you meet health department requirements.
You must also meet the requirements of other jurisdictional agencies.
Food Workers

 













   
To print a handwashing poster

1. Food Worker Card

At least one food worker with a valid Washington State Food Worker Card must be in the booth at all times. The card, or a legible photocopy, must be posted in the booth.

2. Employee Health

Any person with a communicable disease, such as with diarrhea, vomiting, or a fever; or with open sores or infected cuts on their hands, may NOT work in any food establishment.

3. Handwashing Policy

All employees must wash their hands after:
  • going to the restroom (food workers are required to wash hands twice after using the restroom-once in the bathroom and again in the kitchen area)
  • handling raw meat
  • handling garbage
  • touching the eyes, nose, mouth, face or hair
  • taking a break
  • eating, drinking or smoking
  • taking off or putting on gloves
  • any time the hands become dirty

4. Restrictions

Eating, smoking and drinking are not allowed in the food preparation areas. All unauthorized people must stay out of the food preparation areas. Animals (including service animals) are not permitted in the food preparation area.

 

Booth Construction

 

5. Accessible Employee Bathroom

All food booths must be within 200 feet of a restroom with handwashing facilities including warm running water, soap, and paper towels.

6.Public Access

All food preparation and storage must be done toward the back of the booth or otherwise protected from public contamination. When using a grill or hot oil, the equipment must be separated from the public by at least 4 feet to protect people from burns.

7. Surfaces

All food preparation and storage areas must have a weather-proof, overhead cover. Lights must have safety shields to prevent food contamination from broken glass. Food contact surfaces must be smooth and easily-cleanable. Flooring should limit mud and dust.

8. On-Site Preparation Only

ALL FOOD PREPARATION must be done in the booth or in an approved kitchen facility.  Approval must be granted by the health department in advance.

 

Sample Food Booth Layout

 

Sanitation

 

 

         









Why do we require unscented bleach for sanitizers?
The colors and scents used in some of the new designer bleaches are not necessarily food-grade and may not be used on food contact surfaces.






To print a dishwashing poster.

9. Handwashing facilities

All temporary food booths must have at least 1 handwash facility available for employee use. The handwash facility must be set-up before food preparation begins.

The handwash facility MUST have at least:

  • a 5-gallon, insulated container with a continuous-flow spigot with warm (80-100ºF) water
  • pump soap
  • paper towels
  • catch bucket (to catch the dirty water)
  • garbage can

10. Sanitizer

All food establishments must prepare fresh sanitizer before food preparation. A sanitizer is used to destroy germs (bacteria and viruses) on clean surfaces. A common, approved sanitizer is 1 teaspoon of regular, unscented bleach (5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) in 1 gallon of cool water. Sanitizer may be kept in an open bucket with clean wiping cloths or in a spray container. Once a surface is sanitized, it should be allowed to air-dry. Sanitizer and wiping cloths must be replaced frequently throughout the day.

11. Dishwashing facilities

Equipment and utensils must be washed in three separate compartments.

Dishwashing procedure:

  1. wash in hot, soapy water in the 1st compartment
  2. rinse in hot water in the 2nd compartment
  3. sanitize in the 3rd compartment
  4. air dry the dishes

If you do not have a 3-compartment sink, you must take 3 dish basins for dishwashing. Also plan on how you will supply adequate amounts of hot water and dispose of the gray water.

 

Temperature Control

 

Potentially Hazardous Food (PHF) Temperature Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

You must control the temperature of PHF.

Potentially Hazardous Foods (PHF) are foods that let bacteria grow quickly.

These foods include:
  • milk, soy, soy and milk products
  • eggs
  • meat, poultry
  • fish, shellfish
  • vegetable sprouts
  • garlic-in-oil mixtures
  • cut melons
  • cooked starches-potatoes, beans, pasta and rice
  • cooked vegetables 

 



Danger Zone (41-140ºF)



 

All hot potentially hazardous foods must be kept 140ºF or hotter.


All cold potentially hazardous foods must be kept 41ºF or colder.
  • Ice must surround foods.
  • Foods kept cold with ice must be in water-tight containers.
  • Ice used for cold holding must not be used in beverages.

12. Metal-stem thermometer

A metal-stem thermometer is required to check the internal temperatures of all potentially hazardous foods. Thermometers are available at restaurant supply and larger department stores.

Thermometers must be able to measure from 0-220ºF and must be accurate to ± 2ºF.
Click here for calibration procedure.

Room temperature storage of potentially hazardous foods is not allowed. Potentially Hazardous Foods found in the Danger Zone are subject to disposal, destruction or removal from sale.

Keep it Hot, Keep it Cold
Or Don't Keep it!

13. Hot-holding

Electrical equipment is requested for hot-holding. Due to electrical problems at past events however, propane stoves or grills capable of holding food at 140ºF or hotter may be used and/or should be available for backup. Canned heat (ex: Sterno) is only allowed for short (less than 3 hours), indoor events.

14. Cold-holding

Mechanical equipment is required for cold-holding at events over 8 hours. Due to a history of electrical problems at past events, however, an ice chest (with ice from an approved source) may be required to replace a poorly-operating refrigerator on a hot day.

NOTE: Know your electrical needs!

 We will ask you how much equipment you will be using at the event. Events in our area may not have adequate electrical capacity for your plans. We may have to limit your menu or plan for alternative energy sources (such as a generator or propane).

 

15. Cooking temperatures

All potentially hazardous foods that require cooking must be cooked with no interruption AT THE EVENT.  Do not partially cook, parboil, or otherwise blanch products.

All potentially hazardous foods must reach these minimum internal temperatures:

165ºF
Poultry, ground poultry, stuffings and casseroles

155ºF
Raw hamburger and raw sausage

145ºF
Fish, eggs, shellfish, lamb, pork (not including sausage)

140ºF
All other potentially hazardous foods:

  • Commercially pre-cooked hamburgers
  • Hotdogs from a USDA-inspected facility 
  • Commercially-canned chili, soup or other products. (Home-canned products are NOT permitted for public food events.)

"Leftovers" are not allowed!

 All foods that have been heated through the Danger Zone (41-140ºF) must be discarded at the end of the day. Cooling of foods at temporary events IS NOT generally permitted.

 

 

Food Protection


Ready-To-Eat (RTE) foods are foods that are not washed or cooked again before they are eaten.

Examples include:

  • ice
  • sandwiches
  • fruits and vegetables
  • chips, breads

16. Avoid Bare Hand Contact with Ready to Eat Foods

You are required to prevent bare hand contact (BHC) with all RTE foods.
  • Use a barrier:
    • Tongs, forks, spoons, scoops
    • Gloves.  Change your gloves when they become contaminated or ripped. Remember to wash your hands each time you change gloves.
  • OR, modify your preparation:
    • Buy pre-shredded cheeses and pre-sliced vegetables.
    • Buy commercially-prepared potato and macaroni salads rather than preparing your own in the booth.






Cross-contamination is the transfer of bacteria from raw meat to other foods, surfaces, or utensils.

















No home preparation or storage of foods is allowed.

17. Eliminate cross-contamination

Uncontrolled cross-contamination has lead to numerous foodborne illnesses. To prevent cross-contamination, you are required to:
  • Wash, rinse, and SANITIZE all surfaces after handling raw meat
  • Store raw meat BELOW all other foods
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Keep raw meat away from all RTE foods
Suggestions to reduce the chance of cross-contamination include:
  • Use a separate cooler for raw meats.  Be sure to store raw meat in water-tight containers. 
  • Buy pre-cooked (commercially cooked in a USDA facility) hamburger patties and sausages.  These are available from larger grocery stores and restaurant supply warehouses. 
  • Use separate cutting boards and areas for raw meat preparation. Clean and sanitize all equipment and surfaces before beginning RTE food preparation.

18. Use food from approved sources

Approved sources include:

  • Commercially-canned foods
  • USDA-inspected meats
  • Municipal water (from a food-grade container)
  • Commercially-prepared ice

19. Chemicals used near foods must be food-grade.

Store chemicals below or away from all food storage and preparation areas. Keep all chemicals labeled.

20. Food and single-service articles.

Store all foods and single-service articles protected from contamination--off the ground and under a water-proof cover. All foods must be covered to protect from insect, animal, or dirt contamination. Unless otherwise approved, use only disposable plates, utensils and cups to serve food to the public. Condiments must be in individual packets, squeeze containers or in containers with lids or protected with sneeze guards.
Waste Disposal

21. At least one garbage container with a tight-fitting lid must be available in the booth.

Garbage must be emptied regularly.

22. All liquid waste must be dumped into a city sewer or health department-approved waste-water dump.

Streets, storm drains, portable toilets and the ground ARE NOT approved waste-water dumps.
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Benton Franklin Health District
Kennewick
7102 W Okanogan Pl
Kennewick WA
99336
 (509) 460 4200 		Pasco
412 W Clark
Pasco WA
99301
 (509) 547-9737 		Prosser
310 7th Ave. E.
Prosser WA
99350
 (509) 786-1633
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 911

If you are either a medical practitioner, first responder, or public works official and need to report an emergency that immediately endangers public health, please call 509-543-3851. Only medical practitioners, first responders, and public works officials may use this number.
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