Does the health department require licenses for selling other products at a Farmers Market?

The department is aware of a number of individuals who wish to prepare food and sell it at Farmers Markets. Items such as hamburgers, hot dogs, omelets, cooked rice and the like have been creeping in to some Farmers Markets. These items involve food preparation of potentially hazardous food and involve food handling during preparation. There are state and local laws regulating the source of the food being prepared, as well as how it is stored, prepared, held for sale and handled. This type of operation is no different than the food vendors and the products found at many festivals, fairs and other events throughout our county at various times of the year. Vendors interested in selling or giving away prepared items must obtain one of the following:

  • A 1-3-day temporary food establishment license that costs $100 per license and is restricted to one location for a specific period of time. This also requires an inspection by the health department prior to operation at that location.
  • A 4-14-day temporary food establishment license that costs $120 per license and is restricted to one location for a specific period of time. This also requires an inspection by the health department prior to operation at that location.
  • A 9-month farmers market food license that costs $150 per license and is restricted to one location for up to nine (9) months within a calendar year. This also requires an inspection by the health department prior to operation at that location.
  • A 1-year mobile food vendor license. This license costs $145 per license and allows operation anywhere in St. Charles County, except within the boundary of the City of St. Peters, for the period January-December of a calendar year. This also requires a one-time plan review fee of $150. A mobile food vendor must have an approved mobile set-up to be considered for this type of license. A Division of Environmental Health and Protection specialist can discuss this license with any vendor interested in developing a mobile operation. This option avoids the necessity for obtaining multiple or consecutive temporary licenses throughout the calendar year.

Show All Answers

1. What is a Farmers Market?
2. When is a license needed to sell products at a Farmers Market?
3. Does the health department require licenses for selling other products at a Farmers Market?
4. Can I sell food prepared in my home at a Farmers Market?
5. What is required to be on this home-prepared food label?
6. Shouldn’t an exemption be made for vendors at Farmers Markets since they only operate for one or two days each week?
7. Why must I also have to pay a vendor’s fee to the market, as well as the license fees? What do I do if I’m not happy with the market rules?
8. What is a potentially hazardous food product?