How to get food vendors for your event.
To get food vendors, decide what kind of food you want (packaged, prepared or trucks), ask local vendors and food groups to apply, and require their permits and insurance in the application. Check your city and health department rules for temporary food, then plan power, water, fire safety and placement.
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Decide what food you want.
Packaged foods like jams, baked goods and sauces are different from food that is cooked and served on site, and trucks are different again. The permits, space and power each needs differ, so decide what you will allow before you recruit.
- Decide whether you allow packaged food only, prepared food, food trucks, or all three.
- Set a cap for each type and each cuisine so you don't end up with five of the same dish.
- Ask for the menu in the application, and tell vendors what they must not sell.
Where to find food vendors.
- Past applicants, local food truck groups and commissary kitchens.
- Local farmers markets, restaurants, bakers and food entrepreneurs who sell on social media.
- Cultural and community groups with a food tradition that fits the event.
- Your own followers, who will know a seller you haven't heard of.
Check permits before you accept anyone.
Temporary food service is usually regulated by the local health department, and the rules differ by city and county. Ask the health department who is responsible for what at your event: the organizer, the vendors or both. Look up the agencies for your area on our permits pages, then confirm with them directly.
Ask every food vendor for a copy of their permit and insurance certificate with the application, and keep them on file. Require them before you accept the booth fee, not on the day.
Plan power, water and placement.
- Power: ask each vendor what they need and tell them what you can supply. Generators may be restricted at your venue.
- Water and waste: ask the health department what vendors need for handwashing and wastewater, and where trash and grease go.
- Fire safety: ask the fire department or venue about cooking, propane and tent spacing.
- Placement: put food where there is room for lines, away from the entrance, and not next to sensitive retail like paper goods.
Collect permits with the application.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules differ by city and venue, so confirm the details with the agency or a lawyer.
- Require documents such as insurance certificates and permits with each application.
- Vendors apply online with your own questions, so you can ask for their menu and power needs.
Common questions.
How do I get food vendors for my event?
Decide what food you want, ask local vendors and food groups to apply, and make your application collect their menu, permit and insurance. Post your call for vendors where local food businesses will see it.
How do I get food vendors for my craft fair?
Keep food a small, capped category, invite a few packaged or ready-to-eat sellers, and check permits first. Food shouldn't overwhelm the makers.
Do food vendors need a permit?
Usually, from the local health department, but rules differ by city and county. Ask the department, and require vendors to send their permit with the application.
Should I allow food trucks at my market?
It depends on your space, power, parking and your venue's rules. Trucks bring crowds but need room and pickup lines, so plan placement carefully.
How do I handle packaged food versus prepared food vendors?
Treat them as different categories with different caps and different permits. Ask the health department what each needs.
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