Farmers' Markets and Special Events | Huron Perth Public Health

If you want to host a special event or farmers' market, or attend an event or market as a food vendor, you need to submit a form to Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) and make sure that you meet food safety guidelines.

Note: The Farmers' Market and Special Event forms have recently been updated. A separate form is now required for each farmers' market or special event you attend. All form fields are mandatory. Please read the instructions carefully and name the required documents according to the instructions on the form.

Farmers' Market

Note: for craft and maker markets, complete Special Events forms below

Farmers' Market Organizer

Submit a Farmers' Market Organizer form at least 30 days before market day.

Prior to submitting the form by email, ensure you've named it correctly and include:

a list of all food vendors, and
a list of all non-food vendors.

Farmers’ Market Organizer Form

Farmers' Market Vendor

Submit a Farmers' Market Food Vendor form at least 14 days before market day.

Prior to submitting the form by email, ensure you've named it correctly and include:

the most recent inspection report if required,
a product list (if attaching a separate document), and
a water sample result from the past six months if required.

Farmers’ Market Food Vendor Form

Additional information

Farmers' Market Organizer information

At the start of each season, we assess all farmers' markets in the area to see if they are exempt under Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 493/17: Food Premises. A farmers' market is exempt if the majority (51%) of the vendors at the market are selling their own farm products.

As a market organizer, you need to provide each vendor with the Farmers' Market Food Vendor Form.

Farmers' Market Vendor information

As a farmers' market vendor, you need to make sure that:

All food offered for sale is not a health hazard
All meat is inspected, all eggs graded and all milk is pasteurized

Reducing food-related risks

Some foods sold at farmers' markets are potentially hazardous. You can reduce the risk of hazards by following these guidelines.

For canned foods:

Use new jars or bottles and lids
Get all foods from approved sources (meat and eggs)
Use only current, tested home-canning recipes
Test the pH level for each batch to make sure the pH is less than 4.6
Keep production and process records for two years

For meat, poultry and mixed meat products:

Store cold foods at or below 4 degrees Celsius
Store hot food at or above 60 degrees Celsius
Cook to safe cooking temperatures
Transport at proper temperatures
Make sure the product is from an approved source

For more information on proper temperatures and other requirements, review the fact sheet, Food Safety at Special Events and Farmers' Markets

Special Events

Special Event Organizer

Submit a Special Event Organizer form at least 30 days before the event.

Prior to submitting the form by email, ensure you've named it correctly and include:

a list of all food vendors, and
a site plan.

Special Event Organizer Form

Special Event Vendor

Submit a Special Event Food Vendor form at least 14 days before the event.

Prior to submitting the form by email, ensure you've named it correctly and include:

the most recent inspection report if required,
a list of food items (if attaching a separate document),
a list of food suppliers (if attaching a separate document), and
a water sample result from the past six months if required.

Special Event Food Vendor Form

Special event - animal exhibit

Individuals planning a petting zoo, animal ride, animal exhibit or open farm at a market or special event in Huron Perth must complete a Notification of Petting Zoos, Animal Rides, Animal Exhibits and Open Farms form (linked below). Submit the completed form at least four weeks (28 days) before the event. Prior to submitting the form by email, ensure you've named it correctly. A separate form is required for each event you attend.

Notification of Petting Zoos, Animal Rides, Exhibits and Open Farms Form

Special events - personal services

A personal services business participating as a vendor at an event in Huron Perth, must complete the Personal Services Special Event Vendor form (linked below). Submit the completed form 14 days before the event by fax, email, mail or drop off. Prior to submitting the form by email, ensure you've named it correctly. A separate form is required for each event you attend.

Personal Services Special Event Vendor Form

Additional information

Event Organizer information

As an event coordinator, you will need to:

Request each food vendor submit a Special Event Food Vendor Form
Let us know about any changes to your form
Provide a safe water supply to all food vendors
Arrange garbage disposal at a designated site
Provide sanitary facilities and handwashing stations
Arrange for sanitary disposal of liquid waste if sanitary sewers are not available

Please contact us for more information.

Event Vendor information

To prepare for the event, you need to:

Submit a Special Event Food Vendor Form
Let us know about any changes to your application
Arrange for a safe water supply to your food booth
Arrange adequate garbage disposal
Provide a permanent or temporary handwashing station in a convenient location with soap and water
Arrange for sanitary disposal of liquid waste if sanitary sewers are not available
Ensure that general food safety practices are followed - review the fact sheet, Food Safety at Special Events and Farmers' Markets

Create a temporary handwashing station

You can create a temporary handwashing station at your site if it is not provided. You will need the following items:

A spigot that can stay open while both hands are being washed
A bucket placed underneath to catch the wastewater
Liquid soap in a pump dispenser
Paper towels

Event vendor checklist

You will need the following items at the event:

Probe thermometer to check the internal temperature of hot and cold foods
Alcohol swabs to sanitize the probe thermometer between uses
Thermometer for each cooler or refrigerator
Platforms to store food and paper goods off the ground
Clean containers to store food
Plastic wrap or aluminum foil to protect food
Adequate supply of utensils
Cloths to clean and sanitize equipment and surfaces
Adequate supply of potable (safe) drinking water
Leak proof containers
Ice container and ice scoop (if using)
Detergent/bleach solution
Liquid soap
Hairnets, hat, hair tie
Large plastic garbage bags

Exempt Events

An exemption from the O. Reg. 493/17 applies to religious organizations, service clubs, and fraternal organizations that prepare and serve meals for special events or conduct bake sales.

This exemption applies if the exempt group is holding a special event to which the public is invited, where food is made in private homes that are not inspected by the health unit.

To learn more, view the fact sheet Exemption from the Ontario Food Premises Regulation for Special Events [PDF].