Food Protection Program - Dining Outside the Home

Temporary Food Service (TFSE)

Booth requirements
Menu choices
Checklist

 

 

 

Food Protection Program

All temporary food service establishments must be licensed under the Michigan Food Law, P.A. 92 of 2000.  A temporary food service license is needed when serving food in a fixed location for less than 2 weeks at a time.  It is needed anytime you plan to serve food.  

To obtain a temporary food service license, you must contact the Ingham County Health Department Bureau of Environmental Health and complete the following at least 10 (ten) business days prior to your event:  

  • Fill out an application

  • Have the application date stamped

  • Pay the appropriate fee

  • Schedule a food safety class

The application can be downloaded from this site.  Please fill it out, and bring it with the appropriate fee, at least 10 (ten) business days prior to the event,  to the Ingham County Health Department.  At that time, you will be asked to schedule a Food Safety Class.

The Temporary Food Service  Establishment  license will be issued on the day of the event, prior to serving.  You may not serve food before the inspection is conducted and the license issued.

OPERATING WITHOUT A TFSE LICENSE IS GROUNDS FOR EJECTION.

 


Booth Requirements

The booth requirements include the following:

  • Commercial grade or canvas canopy with a minimum of two (2) sides adjacent to one another

  • An open wall leading to the fenced-in cooking area

  • Front must be completely blocked off as to not permit entry into the booth by non-workers

  • Must serve from the front table ONLY.  No serving off the grill

  • Food is to be covered with approved material when not in continuous use

  • Flooring material must be cleanable, non-absorbent material such as asphalt, concrete, duckboard, rubber mats, etc.  


Menu Choices

You may serve up to three (3) potentially hazardous foods.  All food products served must be prepared on-site or in a licensed kitchen and not at home (no home-canned foods allowed).  Food must also come from an approved source such as retail grocery or wholesale.