Temporary/market food stall

A temporary/market food stall permit is required where food is prepared and/or stored in a temporary location such as:

  • Open-air concerts
  • Carnivals
  • Fetes
  • Festivals
  • Field-days
  • Shows
  • Sausage sizzles
  • Fundraising events
  • Sporting events.

Council aims to ensure that only safe and suitable food is sold from temporary market food stalls and as such requires all food handling and serving areas to be suitably constructed and operated.

What type of Temporary Food Stall Licence do I need?

Temporary Food Business – Type 1

  • An annual Temporary Food Licence which involves taste-testing of low-risk foods at markets, festivals, events and temporary situations. Examples include bread, oils, chillies etc.

Temporary Food Business – Type 2

  • An annual Temporary Food Licence which involves the sale of unpackaged cakes, snacks and non-potentially hazardous food at markets, festivals, events and temporary situations.

Temporary Food Business – Type 3

  • An annual Temporary Food Licence which involves the sale of unpackaged potentially hazardous foods (see definition above) at markets, festivals, events and temporary situations

Temporary Food Business (one off event ONLY)

  • A Temporary Food Licence which is approved only for a short period of time to cover operation at a single event.  This type of licence must be applied for at least seven working days prior to the event or it may not be approved.

What if I want to operate on a roadside?

If the Temporary/Market Food Stall is to sell food items on a local government-controlled road or footpath, you must have an approval for the specific location where the business is operating.

Refer to the Roadside Vending webpage for information on how to apply for a permit.

How to apply

For more information about temporary/market food stalls and requirements, contact council's Health and Regulatory Services to speak with an Environmental Health Officer on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or email council@mackay.qld.gov.au.

Learn more about