Review:
Mobile Food Establishments
Mobile food or temporary food establishments are mobile food units, food carts, seasonal permanent food stands, or seasonal temporary food stands that operate either on a limited basis or in a transient manner, moving from location to location. Temporary food establishments are commonly associated with, but not limited to, farmers markets, carnivals, county or city fairs, or any temporary event.
For more detailed information regarding the specific types of mobile food establishments please see the links below:
Retail mobile food handlers sell food directly to the end consumer from temporary stands or mobile locations. Prior to commencing operation you will need to work with your inspector to ensure that the mobile unit meets the Minnesota Food Code requirements so that food is stored, prepared and held in a safe manner. There are several different types of retail mobile operations that have different licensing and regulatory requirements. Your inspector will help you obtain the type of license that best suits your needs. The licensing period for all Retail Mobile Food Handler licenses are from April 1st to March 31st the following year.
Retail Mobile Food Handler Types
Mobile Food Units - This type of business operates 21 days or less in one location and can produce food on site within an enclosed, moveable space. A plan review is required prior to licensing.
Retail mobile stands are inspected by the Retail Food Program within the Food and Feed Safety Division. Some stands are also inspected and regulated by local public health agencies and the Minnesota Department of Health.
If you operate solely within one of the following jurisdictions, please contact the delegated agency assigned to that area (see below).
Food License Types:
(Brick-and-mortar food establishments that predominantly sell prepackaged food to be consumed by the customer off site. Some examples of food establishments the MDA licenses and inspects are grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, meat markets, wineries, brewery taprooms, and vending machines.)
Exceptions and exemptions to licensing
There are some exclusions and exemptions from licensing, however, operators still must comply with the food safety regulations. This may include having an approved water source. It is highly recommended that you communicate with the licensing liaison or one of our inspectors for clarity.
Examples include:
Contact the MDA at MDA.FoodLicensingLiaison@state.mn.us or 651-201-6081 to communicate with an MDA licensing liaison who will help you determine the type of license necessary for the proposed business model. The licensing liaison can assist you with identifying the next steps in the process.
More detailed information about what to expect during the licensing inspection can be found Retail Food Program.
The Minnesota Food Code requires the license applicant to provide a 14-day notice to the inspector prior to the date of opening. If a Plan Review is required, completed applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to beginning construction or remodeling.
Once the license application is processed, a license number is generated, and the license is mailed to the food establishment.
Important Notice: New License and Permit Surcharge
As part of MDA's ongoing efforts to improve their services, the MDA is introducing a license and permit surcharge (Minn. Stat. § 17.033). This surcharge is an application processing charge that will be added to all licensing and permitting applications and renewals beginning Jan. 1, 2025. The surcharge will be calculated as 5% of the license or permit fee, with a minimum charge of $5.
The surcharge is supporting the modernization of our technology systems, which will provide better online services and more efficient processing of applications. The collected funds will be dedicated to upgrading our electronic systems, making it easier for people to interact with the MDA and access the needed services.
Retail Food Handler License Fee Schedule
Gross annual sale or service for the immediately previous license or fiscal year |
License Fee Effective July 1 |
Late Renewal Penalty |
No License Penalty |
---|---|---|---|
Pre-packaged nonperishable food less than $15,000 |
$50 |
$17 |
$33 |
Under $15,000 or $15,000 to $50,000 |
$77 |
$25 |
$51 |
$50,000 - $250,000 |
$155 |
$51 |
$102 |
$250,001 - $1,000,000 |
$276 |
$91 |
$182 |
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000 |
$799 |
$264 |
$527 |
$5,000,001 - $10,000,000 |
$1,662 |
$383 |
$767 |
$10,000,001 - $15,000,000 |
$1,376 |
$454 |
$908 |
$15,000,001 - $20,000,000 |
$1,607 |
$530 |
$1,061 |
$20,000,001 - $25,000,000 |
$1,847 |
$610 |
$1,219 |
Over $25,000,001 |
$2,001 |
$660 |
$1,321 |
The Retail Food Handler's license period is from July 1st to June 30th the following year and is required to be renewed each year.
Renewal information will be sent out a couple of months prior to the license expiration with directions on how to renew. If a letter from the MDA is not received by the food establishment prior to the Retail Food Handler license expiration, it is up to the operator to contact the MDA to renew the license. Licenses can be renewed online with a pin number or by mailing in the renewal form with a check.
Online Licensing System -License Lookup
Online Licensing & Payment Options
Licenses & Inspections Locator