Food Services

The following activities are exceptions and do not require a food permit:

• Food prepared and served by members of a group for members of the group.
  • Examples include a private wedding that does their own food preparation, a party or potluck where partygoers make and share food, a church activity for members.
• Serving only unopened commercially packaged items.
  • Examples include selling only manufacturer sealed bagged chips, candy bars in the wrapper, and bottled soda.
• Keg-only beer tents where the only activity is tapping and pouring beer. Keep in mind the use of ice to be consumed or mixing drinks will require a permit.
• Churches serving food to the public once a week or less.
  • Example includes a church that has a Friday night dinner open to the public.
• Serving packaged items listed under a Home Processing License from the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
  • Example includes selling wrapped, individually portioned dry baked goods such as cookies and brownies made at home.
  • How do I get a Home Processing License? Visit the Department of Agriculture and Markets Webpage to see if you qualify.

• If you have a brick-and-mortar restaurant operation: the food service establishment (restaurant) may be the most appropriate permit. This is defined as a place where food is prepared and intended for individual portion service and includes the site at which the individual portions are provided, whether consumption occurs on or off the premises. This includes restaurants and take-out facilities.
• If you provide food at the premises of the consumer: the catering permit may be the most appropriate permit. This is defined as an operation that prepares and/or provides food intended for individual portion service at the premises of the consumer.
• If you have a mobile food truck, trailer, or pushcart: the mobile food service (food truck/trailer/pushcart) may be the most appropriate permit. This is defined as a self-contained food service operation located in a vehicle, movable stand or a pushcart that is used to store, prepare, display, or serve food intended for individual portion service.
• If you provide food for an event: the temporary food service permit may be the most appropriate permit. This is defined as an operation where food is served to the public at a fixed location during a single event of not more than 14 consecutive days. If you have a valid catering or mobile food service permit to operate in Schenectady County, you do not need a temporary food service permit to provide food for an event in Schenectady County.

   

Food service establishment, catering, and mobile permits are year-round permits that must be renewed annually. Temporary food service permits are only valid for a fixed location for a single event of not more than 14 consecutive days.

Most food service establishment permits are $215/year but increase with seating capacity over 100 or if the operation has a frozen dessert machine. Catering permits are $365/year. Mobile permits are $190/year. Temporary food permits are $90/event.

A permit is still required if you are preparing, handling, or serving food for the public. Your permit fees may be waived if documentation can be submitted.

No. Food must be prepared and stored in an approved or permitted kitchen or mobile unit with a commissary. This ensures the kitchen meets standards of the New York State Sanitary Code, Part 14. The only exception is if you have a Home Processing License from the Department of Agriculture and Markets, which essentially only covers dried baked goods.

A plan review needs to be conducted for any new kitchen in which an operator would like to prepare and store food for the public in addition to the permit application process.  View Plan Review Packet

Food permits are required by the New York State Sanitary Code, Part 14. When you apply for a permit to serve food, education is provided on safe food preparation and handling to prevent illness.

As soon as you know about your foodservice or an event, you should apply. Our office needs at least 2 weeks to process permits for an event and will need longer if a plan review is involved for a new facility or mobile unit.

It depends. If you have a food service establishment permit and you are setting up for an event on your property that is currently permitted/licensed, you do not need another permit. If you are setting up off premises, you will need to have another permit, which could be catering, mobile, or temporary food permits, depending on the equipment you have.

Yes. A valid permit with Schenectady County is required to be able to operate within Schenectady County.

Educate yourself! Take the Schenectady County Online Food Safety Training. 
→ Take the Online Training

Here are the Basics of Food Safety from the New York State Department of Health:

• Choose a food-safe menu.
  • Keep it simple and bear in mind that some foods need special handling to avoid bacterial growth (such as meats, eggs, dairy products, cut fruits, and vegetables).
  • Use foods only from approved sources (for example, commercial foods or those cooked in permitted kitchens). Foods prepared or cooked at home would not be considered an approved source.

• Practice good health and hygiene.
  • Don't prepare or serve food if you are ill or have open sores or infected cuts.
  • Wear clean clothing or aprons.
  • Restrain hair in a hat or net.
  • Wash your hands before preparing and serving food.
  • Wear gloves when working with ready-to-eat foods, such as sandwiches and salads.
• Maintain good practices in the food area.
  • Keep food at the proper temperature. To control the growth of bacteria, you need to cook foods to the right temperature. If you are transporting food, reheating food, storing food, or serving food hot or cold, you will need to make sure it stays at the right temperature. Your health department can provide advice based on your menu.
  • Keep raw food preparation areas separate from areas with cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
  • Wash pans, knives, spoons, cutting boards, and other equipment in hot soapy water and rinse in hot clean water.
  • Sanitize food contact surfaces with a solution of bleach and water (one tablespoon of unscented household bleach into one gallon of water).
  • Empty and remove trash frequently.

Schenectady County code requires at least one person from each food service establishment possess an approved, valid food safety training certificate. A copy of the certificate must be submitted with an initial food service permit application and yearly with a renewal.

→Learn More