Seasonal Permanent Food Stand
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Food Carts
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Special Event Food Stand License
"Special Event food stand" means a food and beverage service establishmen
Important Notice: New License and Permit Surcharge
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Consumer Advisory
A consumer advisory is important information that restaurants must share when they serve raw o
You will need to determine your predominant mode of sales. You need to determine which type of sales will make up most of your business. If retail sales (to consumers, online, etc.) will be 50% or more of your total sales, you’ll need a Retail Food Broker license. If wholesale sales (to other businesses) will be 50% or more, you’ll need a Wholesale Food Broker license. If you're unsure, contact the MDA licensing liaison for help.
What if I plan to conduct both retail and wholesale sales with my food broker license?
You will need to determine your predominant mode of sales. You need to determine which type of sales will make up most of your business. If retail sales (to consumers, online, etc.) will be 50% or more of your total sales, you’ll need a Retail Food Broker license. If wholesale sales (to other businesses) will be 50% or more, you’ll need a Wholesale Food Broker license. If you're unsure, contact the MDA licensing liaison for help.
If your business is based in Minnesota, you’ll need a food broker license from the MDA. However, if your business is outside of Minnesota and you’re selling to Minnesota distributors, you don’t need a Minnesota food broker license.
Do I need a Food Broker license in Minnesota if I'm brokering food from another state (such as New York or California) and selling it to distributors in Minnesota?
If your business is based in Minnesota, you’ll need a food broker license from the MDA. However, if your business is outside of Minnesota and you’re selling to Minnesota distributors, you don’t need a Minnesota food broker license.
Contact the MDA to determine your area food inspector. The area inspector may request an in-person inspection. The inspector will provide you with a copy of the MDA Food Broker license application. An electronic form of the license application is NOT available through the MDA website.
