To sell or distribute food or beverages to the public at a temporary location, such as at a community event, in Spokane County, the person in charge of food service must first obtain approval or a permit, known as a temporary food establishment (TFE) permit, to operate. TFE permits are issued by Spokane Regional Health District.
If you are planning to apply for a temporary food establishment (TFE) permit and use a food truck or enclosed trailer, approval from Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) may be required. Please be advised that the approval process may take several months. For more information about the L&I requirements and the approval process, please see L&I’s Food Trucks and Trailers page.
Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) hosted the following seminar for TFE coordinators and operators in April 2023. This excerpt from the original seminar contains SRHD inspectors’ presentations on the TFE application process, categories and fees, TFE definition, sampling and exempt products, large TFE events and coordinator responsibilities, common violations, enforcement procedures, booth setup, and petting zoos.
The following frequently asked questions (FAQ) are a supplement to the Temporary Food Establishment Seminar. Questions are organized by agency.
Learn more about how to get a temporary food establishment permit by following this step-by-step process.
Get information about starting or continuing operation of a permanent food establishment.
Reporting unsafe practices and illnesses helps the health district identify potential food-borne disease outbreaks.