Mobile Food Establishments (MFE) are Retail Food Establishments (RFE) that serve or sell food from a motor vehicle, nonmotorized cart, boat, trailer, or other movable vehicle.   MFE must be taken to a servicing area daily to refill potable water and dump wastewater.   Most MFE are tied to a Commissary Kitchen, unless they can operate completely independent of a brick n' mortar facility.   Commissary Kitchens provide additional storage space for food and supplies, additional prep space, additional equipment, warewashing facilities, and other services that may be difficult in a mobile unit.   

MFE Plan Review Application 

DPHHS MFE Guidance Document

Food Service Fee Schedule - includes description of risk categories

Licensing Step-by-Step

Below are simple step-by-step instructions intended to help guide you through the plan review and licensing process.  Find detailed information on the steps to the right in the FAQ

1. Obtain Plan Review Application.  
2. Complete Plan Review Application.  Complete all questions/sections and prepare items that need to be submitted with the application. 
   • Prepare Proposed Menu.
   • Prepare Floor Plans.   
   • Obtain Equipment Specification Sheets (Spec Sheets).  
     
3. Submit Application, Plan Review Fee, and all Required Documents to CCHD.  Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to construction and/or anticipated opening date.
4. Wait for Approval Letter or Letter Requesting Additional Information.   We make every effort to respond within 30 days of receiving the application.
5. Complete construction.  Establishment must be constructed as specified in the approved plan.   Any changes must be submitted in writing for approval.
6. Schedule the Preopening Inspection.   Make sure all equipment, plumbing, and ventilation is properly installed and operating before inspection.    
7. Bring MFE to CCHD for Preopening Inspection.  Mobile must be brought to CCHD to demonstrate it is indeed mobile and operating as intended. 
8. Complete State License Application and Pay Annual License Fee.  Upon successful completion of the preopening inspection, the REHS will collect the annual license fee and provide a copy of the approved license application.  
9. Post Your License.  You will receive your license in 4-6 weeks.  Post your signed license application until you receive your official license.  

Temporary Food Establishments (TFE) are retail food establishments that operate on a temporary basis and are associated with an event.  

• May operate up to 21 days with a fixed location at a single event (e.g., Montana State Fair)
• May operate up to 45 days with a fixed menu and layout at a recurring event (e.g., farmers' market).   

If you are preparing food for the general public at an event, you must obtain a Temporary Food Service Permit from CCHD - Environmental Health Division (EH).   This permit is required whether you're selling, sampling, or providing food free of charge.   

TFE-PLAN REVEIW Applicaiton

TFE-PERMIT Application

Food Service Fee Schedule

How to obtain a Temporary Food Service Permit 

First Permit of the Year

1. Complete the TFE PLAN REVIEW Application (pg. 1-4).  The PLAN REVIEW only needs to be completed once per year, as long as you use the same approved menu and layout at subsequent events.  
2. Complete the PERMIT INFORMATION section (pg 5).   This section contains the specific information for your first event that will be printed on the permit.
3. Submit the PLAN REVEW application, along with the Plan Review FEE, to CCHD - EH at least 2 weeks prior to your first event.  
4. A Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) will review your application and email your permit.   If there are any questions about the application, the REHS will follow up with the applicant before approving the application and sending the permit.  
5. Post your Temporary Food Service Permit at the event.  

First permit fee is included as part of the initial plan review fee.  Applications submitted 3 or less business days prior to the event will need to pay a $50 expedited service fee. 

Subsequent Events

1. Complete the PERMIT Application.   If you are using the current approved plan review on file for the year, you do not need to complete the PLAN REVIEW again.  
2. Submit the PERMIT Application, along with the Permit FEE, to CCHD - EH prior to the event.  
3. A REHS will write a permit for the event and email it. 
4. Post your Temporary Food Service Permit at the event.  

Cottage foods are Non-Potentially Hazardous Foods (non-PHF) that can be produced in a home kitchen for direct-to-consumer sales.  Non-PHF are foods that have a low risk of causing foodborne illness and don't require temperature control for safety (i.e., refrigeration is not required).  Some examples of Non-PHF are cakes, cookies, breads, candy, and popcorn.     

How and where can cottage foods be sold?

Registered cottage foods must be sold directly to the consumer.  They may be sold anywhere in Montana, as longs as sales are face-to-face (e.g., farmers' markets, trade shows, public events). They cannot be mailed to consumers or sold out-of-state.   They may be advertised online, but sales must still be face-to-face.  

How do I register my cottage food business?

To become a Cottage Food Purveyor, you must complete and submit the Cascade County Cottage Food Application.   There is a one-time application fee of $40, but no annual renewal fee.  The application has detailed information on approved foods, food safety and hygiene, and label requirements.   If the application and products are approved, you will receive a Montana Cottage Food Registration Certificate that lists all approved foods from your application.  

Cottage Food Application 

Cottage Food ARM - Rules and Regulations

DPHHS Cottage Food FAQ

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