For the protection of students, staff, and the public attending events on the University of Minnesota property, all food must be prepared by a licensed commercial food service and/or provided by University of Minnesota Dining Services and registered with the University Environmental Hygiene Officer (EHO).

Home prepared foods are only allowed under specific guidelines for bake sales and potluck events.

Temporary Food Events Include:

• Bake Sale
• Pot Luck
• Pizza Only
• General Temporary Food - used for any food served on campus outside of a licensed food service establishment

Temporary Food Event Registration Is Not Required for any of the following:

• Events where estimated attendance will be 25 or less individuals
• Events where the general campus community is not invited (Examples: Internal University faculty, staff, service unit or office events)
• Events where all food is prepared by University Dining Service
• Events where the only foods served are prepackaged and considered non-potentially hazardous by the Minnesota Food Code (Examples: canned/bottled beverages, dry baked goods, bagels, breads, cookies, chips, jams, preserves, honey, nuts, dried herbs, packed spices and spice mixes, dry cookie, cake, bread mixes)

The Building Code Department (BCD), as the authority having jurisdiction, issues operating licenses for all food facilities located and operated on University properties. Licenses are required for all permanent food facilities (seasonal, year-round, and/or Inter-Collegiate Athletics (ICA) operations), portable temporary food stands at ICA sporting events/arenas engaged in food preparation on campus, and vending machines. 

Temporary food stands for events sponsored by student organizations may, depending on the nature of the event, also be subject to licensing. 

University Dining Services (UDS) has the first right of refusal for the preparation and sale of food at campus locations. Therefore, only third-party or contracted outside food services/vendors that have obtained authorization from UDS to operate (sell/give away food) on campus can apply for licensing.

Additionally, as Coca-Cola has exclusive rights to beverages served at campus locations, a modified menu for beverages at your location may be required: allowed products are all Coca-Cola products, including bottled water (Dasani, Smart Water).

Permanent Food Facilities and Portable Temporary Food Stands

Once authorization has been obtained from UDS, the vendor needs to apply for a license that the University Environmental Hygiene Officer (EHO) will review.  Click on the Online Application System under Resources.

Information Needed for the License Application

• Permanent Food Facility
  • Copy of Food Manager Certification

  • Copy of Menu

• Portable Temporary Food Stand
  • Copy of Food Manager Certification

• Vending Machines
  • Vending machines must be approved by University Dining Services Contract Administration prior to applying for a license.
  • A list of vending machine types and locations is required to apply for the license.

Complaints about foodborne illnesses should be directed to the Building Codes Department (BCD) at 612-625-3318/612-625-6152 or to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Foodborne Illness Hotline at 877-FOOD-ILL (877-366-3455). Individuals responsible for food service and dining facility operations must enforce the federal and state standards for food safety. Licensing, permitting, and inspecting food brought to, or prepared on all University campuses is the responsibility of the Environmental Hygiene Officer (EHO). The University will enforce the Minnesota Food Code (MN Rules Chapter 4626) as its official food code (See Administrative Procedure: Food Safety). 

Reporting a Foodborne Illness

Complaints regarding possible foodborne illness incidents should be directed to:

Protocol for a Foodborne Illness Report

BCD may refer a complainant to MDH. After joint assessment with MDH, BCD will: