Newsletter
Sign up for complimentary newsletter and event listings.
Articles
How to Become a Food Vendor at Fairs, Crafts Shows and Art Festivals | March 2009 |
Cooking Food At Festivals: A Great Business Opportunity
If you are looking for a fun seasonal job or want to be your own boss, then consider vending food at your local flea market, seasonal festival, craft show, or bazaar. There are many opportunities to set up and become a food vendor in a variety of locales.
Some things you’ll need to keep in mind are the kind of food to vend for your particular festival, creating a unique food display, and buying the right equipment. You’ll also need to learn about local laws and finally apply to many different festivals. You’ll need a convincing application in order to become a food vendor. Check out these tips to get a head start on your business today.
Serve It Up Right
One of the hardest parts of vending food is getting your first break at a festival or fair. You’ll need to convince the organizers that you should be vending food at their event. There are a few things you can do to accomplish this goal. For starters, pick your food carefully. Maybe you have a specialty you’d like to serve up, but try to aim for a large target audience. For many organizers they want something that will stand out from the rest.
Vegetarian or vegan options could be a good idea if this fits in with the demographic of the festival. Vending food that is ethnic could also be a hit, which makes you stand out from the crowd. Creating a successful pitch to organizers is important. Vending food out a unique booth will drive traffic, as well as to impress a festival organizer. Having interesting uniforms for your employees is one idea or any other themed ideas that you can create for your booth could work well. Stay away from music or anything noisy, which is usually a turn off for organizers.
All In Order
You’ll need to do some research on the specific fair or festival you would like to set up at to know what paperwork you will need. You may need to get a license from a local authority for vending food, which could include a fee. You will have to present this in your food vendor application and you’ll need to make sure you have all the right documentation. You should also find out about insurance requirements. Does the festival cover vendor insurance or will you need your own? These are all important questions to find out in advance. Ask about electricity availability for your booth, as well as how garbage disposal works. Each fair and festival will be slightly different when it comes down to the running of the operation. Make sure you ask all the right questions before you submit your application. You want to make sure that you’ve covered all your bases.
Making The Cut
Event organizer will take into consideration your food selection, references, and set up. If you haven’t set up before, then create a mock-set up in your backyard to photograph your booth and equipment. You can present any references that you have from the restaurant industry or any other relevant qualifications if you are new to the festival scene. Make sure to always apply early. An early application is key to getting into the game. You have to remember that food vendors book spots at big festivals up to a year in advance. These are the regulars and you need to try to squeeze into one of the few spots they have available to new food vendors. To make the cut always emphasis that cleanliness is of the utmost importance to you and your business.
You may have to fill out many different food vendor application at first, but it will get easier as you accrue more experience and become more known in the food vendor community. Make sure you find out why you were turned down each time so you’ll know how to improve your food vendor application. Stick with it even if you ear a lot of “no’s” at first, you’ll soon receive a positive response if you keep trying.
Comments
How do I go about finding/receiving applications.?
By Margaret Trent on September 14, 2009
Links to vendor applications are available in the members only area detail section. Many of the event listings will have a direct link to the application or the event itself. The events only area also provides phone and email information for the promoter so you can contact them directly for applications. If you are new to food vending you’ll want to make sure you get all the details up front. There are licensing, health permits, and insurance requirements for most events. It is usually a good idea to call the promoter because most well-known events have waiting lists for common food items. If you want to get into a time-tested show with food, you’ll usually need to come up with a unique food item. You can find applications without a site membership, but it usually is a lot more work because you need to google with your parameters, search through many different links to actually find the site link and then go through the site to find the right info. Many events don’t even have websites…just links to the Chamber of Commerce that sponsors the event. $24.95 for a years worth direct info on Festivals, Craft Shows, Art Fairs and Events is one of the lowest I’ve seen.
By Food Guru on September 14, 2009
I would like to apply for a vendor permit to sell food at festivals, sidewalk sale, plates sells out of my house. Could you please send me some information on how to apply for this type of permit, and the fees that it would cost.
By vanessa Johnson on September 21, 2009
Greetings to you:)
I’m a local based graphic silk screen Pop artist in search of a vending spot to set up my art/fashion line,that said,could you fwd any information on the layout an price points and forms needed to apply,i thank you very much:)
Michael George artist in residence:)
By Michael George on September 22, 2009
Vannessa—different food permits are required based on the state, county and city where iyou will be selling. And, depending on what type of venue…festival or house there will be different requirements. Selling out of your house will likely be difficult because of most city restrictions on commercial endeavors in a residential area as well as the safety of the prep area etc. Most any festival or event you’d apply to will have a list of the the licenses, insurance and permits they require you secure before they agree to let you sell food at their festival. I would start by doing some solid research into the types of food you want to sell find out what type of equipment commercial or otherwise you’ll need to prepare and keep in serving condition ie if you’re serving meat it must be cooked to and kept at a served a certain temperature, if you’re serving dairy, it must be kept at a certain temp etc…of course you want to know all the details re what it costs to produce and what you can sell it for to make sure its profitable…good sites and books on with starting info on this are: http://www.foodbooth.net/ and for food safety http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/HazardAnalysisCriticalControlPointsHACCP/default.htm as a starting point for general licensing information by state go to http://www.business.gov/register/licenses-and-permits/
By Fairs and Festivals Staff on September 22, 2009
Hi, I just started and was wondering if there are booking agents for food vendors? I’m in California, if so, where would I find one?
By Deon on October 3, 2009
Hi, I would like to sell water at festivals, fairs, concerts, and raves. How can I go about this and can you give me more information as to how I can start? Thank you.
By Lyda on November 18, 2009
Just starting up a food vending businass for all festivals fairs etc Thanks for info Looking into food vending concession trailersetc Have got plenty of ideas & experience but from restaurants that are established ...just wanna take it on the road….Thanks Tom Redfern
Best
By Tom Redfern on February 15, 2010
Just purchased a Hot Dog vendor trolly, Any info for a first timer? Overwhelmed with all the rules and regulations that ive been pouring into my brain…any help would be greatly appreciated.
By Brian Balls of Carolina Beach NC on March 9, 2010
Thinking about vending in multiple states. Is a permit I get locally valid out of state? Thanks to anyone who can help!
By Steven Spitzer on March 26, 2010
I would like to sell bottled water as a fund raiser. Do I still need a license, permits etc…?
By Suzette on April 21, 2010
we want to sell fresh squezzed lemonade , how complacated is that for a vender
By mack hill on April 22, 2010
We are looking for food, art and craft vendors for our upcoming holiday bazaar fundraiser. What’s the best way to find local vendors for our Nov 2010 event?
VEH Foundation
By vehfndn on April 23, 2010
I would please like to get some food vendor applications for the upcoming summer season events.
Thank you,
Stephanie
By Stephanie Rangel on April 28, 2010
Hi, I am starting a part-time business as a food vendor. I purchased a griddle grill to start and in the process of getting my health card, I also made my business cards and was wondering what more can i do to get my business going…any ideas will be very helpful.
Thank you,
Rosie
By Rosie on May 7, 2010
I would like to start vending.
Please let know how to start.
By nancy looper on June 11, 2010
Seeking food vendors for Kidstock2010
Sat. Oct. 2nd 2010 Trenton Waterfront Stadium
By Loren on June 20, 2010
By loren on June 20, 2010
I would like to know what the criteria is to qualify for food vending at the Kidstock 2010.
By Tonja Blair on June 24, 2010
Please call 1-888-6-KIDSTOCK or email us directly for answer to your question. Tonja, generally, must be insured (liability/W/C.), like to see picture of booth, menu with prices, other events done and references if any.
By loren on June 25, 2010
