VALUE ADDED FOODS Vendor application

FOOD PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS:

All Value-Added Foods Vendors must provide proof of the following:

• Temporary Food Establishment Permit from the Galveston County Health District if the product does not explicitly fall under the Texas Cottage Foods Law parameters. (This GCHD Guidelines document outlines the requirements under the permit.)

• Food Manufacturer's License

• Food Handler's Card

• All value-added foods NOT named in the Texas Cottage Foods Law must be made in a certified kitchen

COTTAGE FOOD LAW VENDORS: 

• Read up on the specifics of the Texas Cottage Food Law here.

• All product labels must have the following… 

  • Name and physical address of the cottage food production operation;

    1. The common or usual name of the product;

    2. If a food is made with a major food allergen – such as eggs, nuts, soy, peanuts, milk, or wheat – that ingredient must be listed on the label; and

    3. The following statement: “This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department.”

• *As of September 1st, 2019, changes were made to the Texas Cottage Food Law. Before submitting any applications for cottage foods products, please read through this updated fact sheet.

PICKLED ITEMS:

• Please read here for more information on which pickled/canned/fermented items are allowed under Texas Cottage Food Law.

LABELING REQUIREMENTS:

• All food items must be clearly labeled according to Texas law and include:

  • Contact information: address, phone number and/or email address

  • Common name of product

  • List of ingredients by weight

  • identification of any of common major food allergen ingredients that are present

Please read Texas labeling laws here for details.

GALVESTON COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT (GCHD) PERMITTING FAQs:

• GCHD Consumer Health Services

• GCHD Description of a "Farmers Market" food establishment (scroll down)

• GCHD Temporary Food Establishment Form for "potentially hazardous foods" (i.e. products that must be refrigerated to remain safe - should only be $100)

Additional Resources

• Texas Department of State Health Services - FAQs - Farmer’s Market

• Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance: A Closer Look: New Texas Laws for Farmers Market

• How to Determine if your products meet the Organic guidelines

COMMON QUESTIONS:

Do I need a temporary food establishment permit to sell food at a farmers’ market?
A temporary food establishment permit is not required to sell whole, intact unprocessed fruits and vegetables and pre-packaged non-potentially hazardous food/time temperature for safety foods.
A temporary food establishment permit is required to sell all other potentially hazardous food/time temperature control for safety foods. As of 2019, local health districts cannot charge more than $100 total in permit fees to farmers & farmers market vendors selling to consumers directly within that jurisdiction. Read more here.

What is a potentially hazardous food/temperature controlled for safety food (PHF/TCS)?
A potentially hazardous food (PHF) is a food that requires time and temperature control to limit pathogen growth or toxin production. In other words, a potentially hazardous food must be held under proper temperature controls, such as refrigeration to prevent the growth of bacteria that may cause human illness. A PHF/TCS is a food that: contains protein, moisture (water activity greater than 0.85), and is neutral to slightly acidic (pH between 4.6 -7.5).

In your application, you must be as transparent and detailed as possible about your operation's methods, ingredients and philosophy. We value honesty and a commitment to local, sustainable systems and preference is always given to organic (uncertified or certified) operations. The vetting of applications is conducted by the entire Board of Directors at our monthly Board meetings, and depending on when you submit your application it may take up to 1 month to receive a final response.

Please ensure you have read all the information and the Market Rules before completing your application below. Once complete, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a copy of the Market Rules & Hold Harmless Agreement.