Honestly, how legal do you roll?

[Bbq Bubba]

Originally Posted by twinsfan

Argh, I was wondering since I'm planning on selling at three town fairs/parades (Town Day, Memorial Day, maybe July 4th, and local fair) and I was wondering how legal I should go.

More than likely these places wont even let you in without insurance and liability. If you can get that and fill out a temp permit, doing it right is a lot easier than doing it wrong.

[PCDoctor_1979]

1. Where do you sell? Do you cater? Do you sell at fairs, parades, farmers markets? A roadside stand? Mostly catering, a few select festivals.
2. Where do you prepare your food? In a rented kitchen? At home? Has this area been inspected and approved by the HD? Mobile kitchen, fully inspected and approved by the HD
3. Do you have a business license and/or tax ID? Yes, and insurance
4. How much money do you generate, without subtracting expenses or labor? Depends on the size of the gig. Biggest single project this year was $4,500
5. Anybody ever sell BBQ at a stand on the road? Food trucks and roadside vending are illegal in the suburb I live in. Other nearby cities barely tolerate them, the rules and licensing requirements are oppressive, so I don't do that.

I will echo several of the other comments here. Contact the festival organizer and learn what they require. In my state, you can get a temporary permit to vend with a minimum of equipment as long as your food is prepared in a licensed establishment. Good luck.

[HandsomeSwede]

1. Catering & festivals
2. Mobile kitchen built to NYS Sanitary Code Subpart 14-4. Yes.
3. Federal EIN, DBA, LLC, Insurance, Sales Tax Collection Registration, Worker's Comp Waiver, ServSafe Certification, blah, blah, blah
4. I don't fire up the smokers if I'm making less than $500, did $1500 last night.
5. Zoning laws in my area prevent roadside stands for the most part.