Temporary food stalls, mobile food vans & trailers

Information on operating a temporary food stall or mobile food van in the MidCoast Council area.

Temporary food stalls

Where can I operate?

You can only operate a temporary food stall at an approved event (i.e. at markets, festivals and shows) within the MidCoast Council area.

Do I need to tell Council about my food stall?

You must complete and submit a temporary food stall notification form at least 14 days prior to the event. You will need to provide the following information with your food stall notification form:

  • a plan of the stall specifying how food products and preparation will be protected
  • current Food Safety Supervisor Certificate
  • Public & Products Liability Insurance
  • most recent temporary food stall inspection report
  • a list of the events you will be attending in our area

We will then provide you with an approval to use a temporary food stall, these approvals expire after 12months. Most event organisers will ask for your approval to use a temporary food stall prior to operating at their event.

Complete a temporary food stall and mobile food van notification form

 How do I set up my food stall?

Stall set-up and design must comply with the Guidelines for businesses at temporary events.

Safe food handing practices and procedures must be followed at all times.

Inspections

We regularly inspect food stalls at events and markets to make sure food being sold is safe to eat.

Exemptions

If your organisation is a charity or community group, please read the following information on the NSW Food Authority’s website as you may be exempt from some of the requirements outlined above for food stalls Charities community groups and temporary food events.

Mobile food vans

A mobile food van is any vehicle that is designed to be moved from place to place and is used to sell food.

All mobile food vans must comply with the NSW Food Act 2003, Food Regulation 2015 and Food Standards Code. The NSW Food Authority’s Guidelines for mobile food vending vehicles provides guidance on how to comply with the legislation.

Where can I operate?

A mobile food vending vehicle can operate at approved events (i.e. at markets, festivals and shows) or on private property (see information below). Please note that mobile food vending vehicles are not permitted to operate on public land i.e. from carparks, reserves, beaches.

Operating a mobile food van on private property:

Food vans are allowed to set up and operate on private land without development consent under certain conditions. If you want to do this you must:

Do I need to tell Council about my mobile food van or trailer?

You must complete and submit a food business notification form to Council regardless of operating on public land at an event or on private property. You must notify regardless of if your principal premises address (the place where you garage your mobile food van) is within the MidCoast Council area or you are visiting from outside the area.

Inspections

We inspect food vans that operate from (home address is within) the MidCoast area annually. If you have a new van and would like us to inspect it, please contact us.

If you’re from outside the MidCoast area and want to operate in our area you need to complete a food business notification form and provide a recent report (less than 12 months old) from your local council. We regularly inspect mobile food vans at events and markets to make sure food being sold is safe to eat.

Exemptions

If your organisation is a charity or community group, please read the following information on the NSW Food Authority’s website as you may be exempt from some of the requirements outlined above for mobile food vending vehicles Charities community groups and temporary food events 

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