Food Permit Process

Students, faculty, and staff who wish to serve food and drinks at public events (e.g., general meetings, Nooners) must obtain a "Temporary Food Permit" to protect the community's health and meet "California Retail Food Code" requirements. It is essential that anyone looking to sell food and beverages on campus understands and adheres to campus guidelines to ensure a positive, healthy experience and alignment with the University of California policy and state law.

Students, faculty, and staff can invite approved vendors to the UC Riverside campus to support events and initiatives through an established approval process designed to ensure the health and safety of our community. Vendors interested in operating on the UCR Campus are invited to go through an approval process to be eligible to sell food and beverages at University events, at the invitation of a campus organization.

This website provides detailed information on how campus organizations can invite vendors to campus events and obtain a "Temporary Food Permit", and how vendors can get approved to operate on the UCR Campus.

For Students, Faculty and Staff

Permit Requirement

Any campus department or organization (including UCR registered clubs and organizations, etc.) hosting a campus event where food or beverages are offered to the public, either free or for purchase, is required to obtain a Temporary Food Permit.

Exemptions: Events that contract with the University Citrus Grove Catering or a campus department or unit hosting an internal event within its own facilities (eg, staff meeting, birthday celebration, etc.), or a registered student organization hosting an event that is invitation-only or members-only.

Step 1:

Review the approved vendor list.

All food/drink sold or distributed on campus must be from an approved food source. Food can be purchased from a local major chain grocery stores and warehouses (e.g., Ralph's, Food4Less, Costco, Sam's, etc.) or from the approved vendor list. Drinks must be from the Approved Prepackaged/Bottled drinks list.

Step 2:

Complete Food Safety Training

All UCR-affiliated individuals handling food (preparing, cooking, and/or serving) must complete the UCR Online Food Safety Training prior to submitting a food permit request application. The individual(s) must be present during the entire time that food or beverage is prepared, served, and/or sold. We recommend that you have more than one person trained from your group. For organizations serving:

Hot food: At least three people and everyone who is preparing or handling food must be trained.
Cold food: At least two people and everyone who is handling food must be trained.

Training completed in the last 24 months will be accepted.

Important

Students: If you have never used the UCR Learning Center before, you may need to create an Affiliate account with the UC Learning Center to access the training. If you have trouble accessing the UCR Learning Center, visit UCR Learning Help or email ucrlearning@ucr.edu for assistance.

Step 3:

Apply for a permit at least 7 business days in advance of your event.

Food Permit Application

Additional Information:

The HUB also offers additional RSO fundraising opportunities for non-food vendors throughout the year. Please contact HUB Scheduling at hubscheduling@ucr.edu for more information.

Contact information

Environmental Health and Safety: temporaryfoodservice@ucr.edu; (951) 827-5528
HUB Scheduling: hubscheduling@ucr.edu; (951) 827-3215
Student Life: ucrlife@ucr.edu; (951) 827-7344

For Vendors

Permit Requirement for Vendors

We sincerely respect and appreciate the labor that local food vendors and entrepreneurs provide our community. To support the advancement of local entrepreneurs and small businesses we are providing detailed information for prospective food vendors interested in serving the UCR campus community.

Step 1:

Obtain sponsorship from a department or registered student organization.

Students: Registered student organizations (RSO) may sponsor vendors to operate on campus for events.

Step 2:

Vendors begin the process of obtaining pre-approval to be added to the vendor list through UCR’s Procurement Department.

Information Packet

This packet provides detailed information on how non-UCR vendors can get approved to operate on campus along with checklists and forms.

Information Packet

Approved Food Sources

All food/drink sold or distributed on campus must be pre-approved by the Procurement Department. We recommend that vendors wishing to operate on campus in the before reach out to Procurement to begin the process of being added to the approved vendors list.
For more information, contact Matthew Burke at 951827-3095 or matthew.burke@ucr.edu.

Compliance

Contact

For assistance, please contact Environmental Health & Safety at (951) 827-5528.

Environmental Health & Safety