PREPARED FOODS Vendor application

Prepared Foods vendors offer freshly-made food and drinks available for sale and immediate consumption. These products may be hot or cold ready-to-eat foods or drinks.

Products should use organic ingredients when available and as many market products as possible & reasonable, with preference given to those vendors who use local products.

The certified kitchen utilized must be located within 150 miles of the market attended.

Products to be sold must be presented for sampling and inspection of labeling before acceptance into GOFM. The Executive Director will request these samples from you– please do not drop off before invited to do so.

FOOD PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS:

All Prepared Foods Vendors must provide proof of the following:

• Temporary Food Establishment Permit from the Galveston County Health District if the product does not explicitly fall under the Texas Cottage Foods Law parameters. (This GCHD Guidelines document outlines the requirements under the permit.)

• Food Manufacturer’s License

• Food Handler’s License

• All prepared foods must be made in a certified kitchen

LABELING REQUIREMENTS:

All food items must be clearly labeled according to Texas law and include:

• Contact information: address, phone number and/or email address

• Common name of product

• List of ingredients by weight

• The eight major food allergens

• Please read Texas labeling laws here for details

GALVESTON COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT (GCHD) PERMITTING FAQs:

• GCHD phone number (409) 938-2411

• Address: 9850-D Emmett F. Lowry Expy./ Suite D-100/ Texas City, TX 77591

• Walk-in Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm

• GCHD Consumer Health Services

• GCHD Description of a “Farmers Market” food establishment (scroll down)

• GCHD Temporary Food Establishment Form for “potentially hazardous foods” (i.e. products that must be refrigerated to remain safe – should only be $100)

Additional Resources

• Texas Department of State Health Services – FAQs – Farmer’s Market

• Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance: A Closer Look: New Texas Laws for Farmers Market

• How to Determine if your products meet the Organic guidelines

COMMON QUESTIONS:

Do I need a temporary food establishment permit to sell food at a farmers’ market?
A temporary food establishment permit is not required to sell whole, intact unprocessed fruits and vegetables and pre-packaged non-potentially hazardous food/time temperature for safety foods.
A temporary food establishment permit is required to sell all other potentially hazardous food/time temperature control for safety foods.

What is a potentially hazardous food/temperature controlled for safety food (PHF/TCS)?
A potentially hazardous food (PHF) is a food that requires time and temperature control to limit pathogen growth or toxin production. In other words, a potentially hazardous food must be held under proper temperature controls, such as refrigeration to prevent the growth of bacteria that may cause human illness. A PHF/TCS is a food that: contains protein, moisture (water activity greater than 0.85), and is neutral to slightly acidic (pH between 4.6 -7.5).

Please ensure you have read all the information above & the Market Rules before completing your application and Hold Harmless Agreement.

In your application, you must be as transparent and detailed as possible about your operation’s methods, ingredients and philosophy. We value honesty and a commitment to local, sustainable systems and preference is always given to organic (uncertified or certified) operations. The vetting of applications is conducted by the entire Board of Directors at our monthly Board meetings, and depending on when you submit your application it may take up to 1 month to receive a final response.

Please ensure you have read all the information and the Market Rules before completing your application below. Once complete, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a copy of the Market Rules & Hold Harmless Agreement.