Some vendors of Temporary Food Establishments (TFE’s) may be exempt from the regulations requiring a permit to prepare and sell food to the public.  The vendors who meet one of the following conditions will not be required to obtain a permit to operate their TFE:

• (i) incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in accordance with Chapter 55A of the North Carolina General Statutes
• (ii) exempt from federal income tax under the Internal Revenue Service Code as defined in General Statute 105-228.90 (have 501(c)(3) status)
• (iii) a political committee as defined in General Statute 163-278.6(14)

A facility meeting one of the above conditions may prepare and sell food to the public without a permit from the health department for no more than two consecutive days, one time per calendar month.  The Mecklenburg County Health Department requires proof of the organization’s tax-exempt status such as a federally issued 501(c)(3) document or state issued tax-exempt status document.

TFE vendors who sell only non-potentially hazardous drinks, such as fresh-squeezed lemonade, coffee, tea, etc., are not required to obtain a permit from the health department.

TFE vendors who sell only dipped ice cream, popcorn, candy apples, cotton candy, funnel cakes, soft pretzels and or pre-packaged chips or candy are not required to obtain a permit from the health department.

Questions?  Please call the Mecklenburg County Health Department at (704) 336-5100.