Farmers Market plan guide and food service permit application

Three levels of permits based on how complex your food will be:

• Minimal food handling
  Packaged potentially hazardous food made under permit; no handling of unpackaged food — no sampling
  
  
• Moderate food handling
  Unpackaged, potentially hazardous foods; includes sampling; not including raw animal products; reheating commercially made foods (USDA/WSDA); hot holding; no cooling
  
  
• Complex food handling
  Food cooked from raw animal products; serving raw animal products; cooling steps -- any foods cooked and cooled in a prep-kitchen.

If one market or event, you should purchase a single event permit:

• Submit an application and receive a permit for each market. Each permit is good for the entire market season.
• Receive an inspection for each permit.
  

• Minimal temporary food permit (single event)
• No Certified Booth Operator required
• Only prepackaged potentially hazardous foods are offered
• All foods packaged
• No sampling of unpackaged foods
  
  
• Moderate temporary food permit (single event)
• May apply for additional single permits at any time
• No Certified Booth Operator required
  
  
• Complex temporary food permit (single event)
• May apply for additional single permits at any time
• No Certified Booth Operator required

If more than one market, consider these options:

• Minimal unlimited temporary food permit
• Can attend unlimited number of markets and events until the end of the calendar year
• Location information required for first event; notification not required for additional events
• No Certified Booth Operator required
• Only prepackaged potentially hazardous foods are offered
• All foods packaged
• No sampling of unpackaged foods
  
  
• Multiple permit and unlimited permit - voluntary incentive program
  For moderate and complex food handling permits, consider a permit package that incentivizes safe food handling with reduced fees.  Multiple and unlimited permit packages are valid only for the calendar year in which they are purchased.
  
  
• Multiple permit package - 5 events
• Requires each business to have a Certified Booth Operator (additional food safety education), not required to be on-site during market or eventAllows attendance at up to 5 markets and events for the price of less than 3 single permits
• This permit option available for moderate and complex food handling
• Requires application with menu and location information for each event you attend
• Will receive random inspections
• One permit package can be used for both farmers markets and temporary events
• Or buy single permits for each event or market with no Certified Booth Operator requirement
  
  
• Unlimited permit package
• Requires each business to have a Certified Booth Operator (additional food safety education), not required to be on-site during market or event
• Allows unlimited market and event attendance for the price of less than 3 single event permits
• This permit option available for moderate and complex food handling
• Requires application with menu and location information for each event you attend
• Will receive random inspections
• One permit package can be used for both farmers markets and temporary events

• Food service where a permit isn't needed - WAC 246-215 (48) (c)
• Application for exemption from permit

• IMPORTANT NOTICE (Posted November 22, 2022)

Multiple and unlimited moderate/complex permits require each business to have a Certified Booth Operator (not required to be on-site during the market or event).

• Certification lasts two years
• Preregistration is required. Walk-ins will not be admitted to class
• To register for a class, please download the Certified Booth Operator Application form (fillable PDF format), complete, and mail to our office with a check for payment. PLEASE NOTE – allow time for mailing and processing, offices not currently open for walk-in customers.
• Current Tacoma-Pierce County Certified Booth Operator certifications are honored in King County

Courses located in downtown Seattle at the Chinook building, 401 – 5th Ave, Room 121 or 123 (ground floor).

Course schedule:

• Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 10 am – 11:30 am, Room 121
• Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 10 am – 11:30 am, Room 123
• Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 10 am – 11:30 am, Room 118
• Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 10 am – 11:30 am, Room 123
• Tuesday, August 8, 2023, 10 am – 11:30 am, Room 121
• Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 10 am – 11:30 am, Room 123
• Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 10 am – 11:30 am, Room 121

**A certified booth operator is required. $101.00 course fee.