Special events are a great way for the community to come together to celebrate holidays, festivals, and cultural events. Food plays a central part in making a special event a memorable experience. Organizers and vendors play an important role in ensuring safe food practices are followed to prevent the risk of foodborne illness.
Organizers and vendors must comply with the Food Safety Guidelines for Special Events and with applicable sections of the Food Premises Regulation, under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O., 1990.
Please complete the Special Event Organizer Application at least 45 days before the start date of the event. If you require assistance completing this form, please contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653, option 4.
If the Special Event Organizer Application has not been received at least 45 days prior to the event, there may not be adequate time to review the application.
A Public Health Inspector will review your application and contact you within the 45-day window.
It is the responsibility of the event organizer to ensure all food served at public special events are from an inspected source. Inspected sources are food premises such as restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, and home-based businesses that have passed a public health inspection. Food products prepared at uninspected businesses are not considered to be from an inspected source and are not permitted to be served at an event open to the public.
Farmers’ markets are exempt from the Ontario Food Premises Regulation 493/17 if more than 50 per cent of the vendors are primarily selling food products produced by their own farms. Farmers’ markets must still comply with the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
Vendors using canning as a method of preserving food must review the food safety requirements in the Special Event Vendor Application form. Canned foods that do not meet food safety requirements are not permitted to be served at a public event.
York Region does not permit the sale of wild foraged mushrooms in any retail setting. This includes the sale or distribution of wild foraged mushrooms through a special event or farmers' market and includes any products made from wild foraged mushrooms.
Special Event Organizers are responsible for ensuring that all vendors have completed and submitted their Food Vendor Application Event form(s).
Municipalities may require special event permits. Please contact the local municipality where your event is being held prior to your event.
Privacy Statement:
The Information requested is collected under the authority of the Health Protection and Promotion Act and in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information will be used for administering the Health Protection Program, aggregate statistical reporting, and will be maintained as part of any investigation. For any questions or concerns regarding the collection and use of this information, please contact Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 option 4 or email [email protected]
