If you are planning to sell or give away food to the public, learn how to put food safety first to ensure you get the approval to operate. For more information call 625-5930 or toll-free 1-888-294-6630, extension 5930

Individuals and organizations planning to hold a fair, festival, charity barbeque or other special event where food will be served must notify the Health Unit in advance. This will ensure the Health Unit is aware of your event and has the opportunity to provide you with appropriate application form(s) and operating guidelines.  

The operation of food concessions will be in jeopardy if the event does not have Health Unit approval.

The appropriate guidelines and forms are available by download (see below) or by contacting our office at 807-625-5930 or toll-free at 1-888-294-6630, extension 5930.

Click on the links below to learn more:

• Operating Guidelines
• Application Forms
• Vendor Checklist
• Exemption Information
• Safe Food Handling
• Hand Hygiene
• Grey/Waste Water Disposal
• Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code
• Food Premises Regulation

Operating Guidelines:

Operating Guidelines for Special Events Lasting 3 Days or Less

Operating Guidelines for Special Events Lasting More Than 3 Days

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Application Forms:

Special Event Organizing Committee Application Form

Special Event Food Vendor Application Form

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Vendor Checklist:

Special Event Vendor Checklist

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Exemption Information:

BROCHURE - Special Event Exemption Brochure

FORM - Food Donor List

POSTER - Notice to Patrons - Premise Not Inspected

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Safe Food Handling:

As the fair and festival season approaches, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit would like to take this opportunity to make a food safety recommendati to all Event Organizing Committees in the District of Thunder Bay. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit offers food handling courses that promote safe food handling within the food service industry. This successful program has been designed to familiarize food service industry staff with safe food handling practices to ensure that food is prepared, stored, and served in a manner that is consistent with the Food Premises Regulation under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is recommending that Event Organizing Committees include, in their event contracts, that a food handler from each vendor is certified in safe food handling. Success in the highly competitive food industry depends on a solid reputation. An incident of food borne illness can damage this reputation. The education and certification of food handlers is proven to reduce the risk and incidence of food borne illness. The Health Unit will provide either a face to face course at discounted cost to all fair/festival food handlers or the opportunity to take the online version of our course. If you would like to register for either course please contact the Health Unit at 625-5930. For more information see our Safe Food Handling Courses