Food Truck Operations

Vendor Responsibilities

Food License Requirements

Food truck owners/operators serving food at a Central event must possess or apply for a food license from the New Britain Health Department (NBHD) to operate on campus.

NBHD issues two types of food licenses:

  • Mobile Vehicle License (MVL)
    • Valid for a year
  • Temporary Food License (TFL)
    • Valid for a single event
    • Issued by NBHD the day of the event

Food licenses issued by other municipalities are not reciprocal in New Britain.

Food License Application Process

  • All food truck vendors must notify NBHD each time they are contracted for a campus event, regardless of the type of license they hold.
  • Notification is completed electronically, through an application available on the NBHD webpage.
  • Applications must be submitted no later than two weeks before the event.
  • Vendors with an annual MVL will already have an MVL number, but they still need to complete the application. They will not get charged again.
  • Vendors without an annual license must apply for a TFL. After submitting the application, they will receive a TFL application number. A separate fee applies for each new application.

Fire Safety Requirements

  • Food trucks shall be parked no closer than 25 feet from ANY structure
  • At least one of the food truck wheels shall be chocked
  • A 10-foot clearance between adjacent food trucks must be maintained
  • Each concession-no exceptions-must have a 10lb ABC-rated fire extinguisher readily accessible
  • Food trucks cooking with open flames must be equipped with functional carbon monoxide and combustible gas detectors
  • Concessions with cooking equipment which may produce grease-laden vapors must have a K-rated fire extinguisher
  • Fire extinguishers/suppression systems must display inspection certificates and annual tags
  • Propane tanks shall be:
    • In good condition and individually secured to prevent tipping
    • Stored outside and used in the upright position
    • Within 12 years from the date of manufacture or the requalification date
  • Generators must be:
    • Placed at least 12 feet away from the food truck unless they are tied to the vehicle’s fuel source
    • Grounded per manufacturer’s specifications
    • Operated outdoors only
  • Generator fuel must be:
    • Stored in appropriate containers ONLY
    • Stored in the upright position
    • Kept outdoors in a secure location to allow for proper venting
  • Extension cords must be:
    • In good working condition
    • Free of kinks, nicks, exposed or frayed wires
    • Rated for the equipment they will be powering
    • UL listed
    • 10-, 12-, or 14-gauge and equipped with a ground prong

Environmental Considerations

  • A cardboard sheet must be placed under the vehicle to absorb any leaking oil or fluids and prevent contamination or staining

Inspections and Permitting

  • On the day of the event, an NBHD food inspector may conduct an on-site inspection.
  • If the inspection is passed, NBHD will issue the official TFL on-site.
  • A Central EHS representative will conduct a fire safety inspection on the day of the event

By participating in a Central event, the vendor acknowledges responsibility for meeting all applicable NBHD and fire, life safety and code compliance requirements.