A Food Establishment is an operation that stores, prepares, packages, serves, vends food directly to the consumer, or otherwise provides food to the public for human consumption, such as a restaurant, satellite or catered feeding location, catering operation if the operation provides food directly to a consumer or to a conveyance used to transport people, market, vending location, conveyance used to transport people, institution, or food bank, and relinquishes possession of food to a consumer directly or indirectly through a delivery service, such as home delivery of grocery orders or restaurant takeout orders, or delivery service that is provided by common carriers.
Applying for a Food Establishment Permit
Before opening a new or remodeled foodservice facility or transferring ownership, the foodservice operator must complete the following:
- Make an application for a Plan Review and submit a $40.00 fee to the local health department in the jurisdiction of the establishment. The Plan Review process helps ensure all work will be in accordance with food safety regulations, and helps prevent operators from making costly investments in work that will not meet requirements! See this link for more details on what to be ready to include in a Plan Review application. Plan Review Application
- Make any modifications to plans if necessary for approval.
- Once the Plan Review is approved, submit a completed Foodservice Permit Application to the local health department along with payment of $40.00 at least 30 days prior to opening for approval.
- Request an inspection of the facility from the Health Department prior to opening.
The Food Establishment Permit will be issued when the facility is complete and the inspection is in compliance with the Virginia Department of Health Food Regulations.
Operators are strongly encouraged to reach out to the local health department’s food safety team early in the development process. Local requirements may apply in addition to state laws.
If you are proposing to operate a foodservice establishment (brick and mortar) in Piedmont Health District, please consult with one of our District Food Environmental Health Specialist prior to beginning construction of the facility. You will need to submit the Plan Review Application and the Foodservice Permit Application to:
Piedmont Health District
111 South St, Ground Floor
Farmville, VA 23901
Restaurants
– Plan Review Fee $40 (effective July 1, 2011)
– Annual Permit Fee $40 (effective July 1, 2011)
Foodservice Permit Application
Plan Review Checklist/Comprehensive Guide
Kitchen Manager Certification Benefits
MOBILE UNITS, PUSH CARTS, & VENDING TRUCKS
A food establishment that is mounted on wheels that is readily moveable from place to place and shall include push carts, trailers, trucks, or vans. They must be mobile at all times during operation and must be on wheels at all times. The unit, all operations, and all equipment must be integral to and be within or attached to the unit.
Items needed during inspection include a thermometer (0-220 degrees F), test strips, food grade hose, adequate refrigeration, hot and cold running water. Wastewater holding tank must be 15% larger than fresh water holding tank. For new mobile units, the following items must be submitted prior to being permitted:
- Plans
- Menu
- Mobile-Food-Establishment-Plan-Review-Packet
- Foodservice Permit Application
- Food Manager Certificate
- $80 Plan Review & Food Permit Fees (effective July 1, 2011)
Fire marshal inspection information for Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Lunenburg and Nottoway
*Residents of Prince Edward and Cumberland County, please contact your local fire marshal for inspections
TEMPORARY FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS (TFE)
Temporary food establishment (TFE) means a food establishment that operates for a period of no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration.
To apply for a Temporary Food Establishment Permit, submit a completed application and fee of $40 to the local health department in which the TFE will be located. The application and fee must be submitted at least ten calendar days prior to the day in which the TFE will operate. Any TFE applicants who are not approved will be notified in writing of the reasons for denial and be provided with appeal rights. If you are proposing to operate as a Temporary Food Vendor at a sponsored event, you will need to submit a Temporary Food Permit Application to the Health Department located in the County where the event is being held. If you have already obtained a Temporary Food Permit during the calendar year anywhere in Virginia, you do not need to submit a $40 fee but you do need to submit an application for each event you plan to operate.
Event coordinators often provide temporary infrastructure that includes portable toilets and handwash stations for temporary food establishments. An Event Coordinator Application may be used to alert the local health department as to the dates and times of a proposed event, the number of food vendors, and important resources such as the provision of potable water and wastewater disposal. Event coordinators should submit the application at least 10 calendar days before the event in order to assist in the review of the individual temporary food establishment applications.
For addition information regarding the temporary food establishments, please visit Temporary Food Establishments – Environmental Health (virginia.gov).
TFE Permit Fee: $40 Annually (effective July 1, 2011)
Video on Temporary Event Set Up
Temporary Food Establishment Application