Temporary Food Events

A "Temporary Food Establishment" (TFE) permit is required to sell food or drink at a special event. This permit is issued in conjunction with a fair, carnival, circus, public exhibition or other similar gathering that operates for a period of 21 days or less. Examples are the NC State Fair, holiday festivals, traveling carnivals and special events.

Vendors who sell only dipped ice cream, shaved ice, popcorn, candied apples, cotton candy, funnel cakes, doughnuts, peanuts and commercially prepackaged chips and candy do not have to get an operational permit from this Department; however, vendors should contact the NC Department of Agriculture at 919-733-7366 to determine if a permit is needed from them.

Applications and payments for all TFE applications are ONLY accepted via postal mail or in person at Environmental Health Division, 799 N. Highland Avenue, Winston Salem, NC 27401. No over-the-phone, faxed, emailed, or online payments will be accepted. When submitting your application, you must include payment at the same time.

Resources:

• Carolina Classic Vendor Application
• Temporary Food Event Application
• Temporary Food Event Vendor Checklist
• Temporary Food Event Coordinator Information - Coming Soon
• Employee Health and Hygiene Handbook
• Employee Health Policy Agreement

Educational Resources:

• TFE Food Safety Education Packet
• Cooling Food for Food Safety
• Preventing Cross Contamination
• Temperature Guide
• Handwashing Guide
• Temporary Handwash Station Setup
• Cleaning Water Tanks
• Cleaning Water Hoses
• Washing Dishes in 2-Compartment Sinks

Rules & Regulations:

• NC Food Code Manual
• Temporary Food Establishment Rules