Temporary Food Vendor
Information for Market Vendors
For the 2022 Market Season, vendor fees are capped at $50. This means that although an application is required for participation in each market, a vendor will pay a maximum of $50 for permits associated with markets.
All vendors must submit the appropriate applications through the market manager. An application is required for each market. Vendors must still submit all appropriate applications based on their food sales.
The variance section on the Temporary Food-Service Establishment and Temporary Retail Food Establishment applications will allow for an extension of the permit dates to cover the length of the market season.
For questions on applying for vending at a market, please call environmental health at 505-768-2738.
Learn more about vending at markets. Spanish market guide.
Information on Bake Sales
- Bake sale operations may be covered by the Homemade Food Act.
- Food items allowed under the homemade food act include non-temperature/time control for safety foods. Food that meets this definition only requires simple production steps and does not require refrigeration when complete.
- Any vendor subject to the Homemade Food Act does not need to apply for a temporary food permit with the City of Albuquerque.
- Learn more about the Homemade Food Act.
- For questions regarding the Homemade Food Act, please contact the New Mexico Environment Department.
- Bake sales that include food items requiring refrigeration will need to obtain a temporary food permit from the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department.
- Please review the General Guidelines for Temporary Event Vendors and the different types of temporary food permits.
- For questions regarding bake sales, please call environmental health at 505-768-2738.
General Guidelines for Temporary Event Vendors
Permit applications should be submitted at least 5 days prior to the event to ensure sufficient processing time. Applications submitted after the deadline will still be reviewed, but approval cannot be guaranteed. Please note, permit applications submitted after 4:30 p.m. will not be processed until the next business day.
- All temporary permit applications must include the address of the commercial kitchen where food is to be prepared or stored prior to the event. If all preparation/storage will be on-site, please note this on the application.
- All applicants for a temporary health permit must be in possession of a City of Albuquerque business registration. Learn more information on obtaining a business registration.
- Brick and mortar food establishments wishing to vend food outside of their permitted premises must also obtain temporary food permits.
- Mobile food units permitted by the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, or the State of New Mexico need not obtain temporary food permits.
- Mobile food units permitted outside of the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, or the State of New Mexico must submit a temporary permit application along with a copy of their local health permit.
- Any vendor subject to the Homemade Food Act does not need to apply for a temporary food permit. Learn more about the Homemade Food Act, house bill 177.
- Learn more about the Homemade Food Act.
- Only non- Time/Temperature Control for Safety foods are allowed to be made at home.
- Persons vending at private events must have the approval of the event coordinator prior to application approval. Private events include but are not limited to markets, Balloon Fiesta, and Summer Fest.
Prohibited Foods
- Food containing cannabis
- Seafood, including shellfish and sushi
- Sprouts
- Unpasteurized dairy products
- Ungraded eggs. Learn more about the New Mexico Department of Agriculture egg licensing.
- Unpackaged raw animal food (meat)
- Any meat or meat products that do not bear the USDA mark of inspection
| Permit Type | Foods Allowed | Time Limit | Fees |
| Temporary Food-Service | *Individual portion service including prepared hot foods. | 14 days | $25 |
| Temporary Retail Food | *Packaged foods such as jams, jellies, salsa, cookies, cut produce, eggs. | 14 days | $50 |
| Raw Produce | *Raw, uncut produce from a commercial farm. | 1 year, limited to one location | $15 |
| Multiple Permits Needed | When offering food items from multiple categories above, each permit type must be submitted. | Individual fees apply per application |
*Vendors participating under the homemade food act do not receive permits from CABQ Environmental Health Department.
Submitting an Application
Review the information below on the different types of temporary food permits, complete the appropriate permit application, and submit in one of the following ways:
- Hand deliver to the Environmental Health Department at 1 Civic Plaza NW, 3rd Floor Room 3023, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Mail the application to the Environmental Health Department at PO Box 1293, Albuquerque, NM 87102
- Fax the document to 505-768-2698
- E-mail the document to [email protected]
If you need any assistance, call 505-768-2738.
Temporary Food-Service Establishment Permits
When distributing portion-service food outside of a permitted establishment, this permit is required. Portion-service food includes but is not limited to hamburgers, hot dogs, burritos, and sandwiches. Generally, there is some on-site assembly of foods during the event.
Permits are valid for 14 days for one location for participation in a single event or celebration.
Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit Application (410kb)
Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit Application (Chinese)
Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit Application (Spanish)
Temporary Food Service Establishment Permit Application (Vietnamese)
Temporary Retail Food Establishment Permits
When distributing packaged items, this permit is required. Packaged items include but are not limited to cookies, cakes, jams, jellies, eggs, and jarred salsa. With a retail permit, there is no on-site assembly or preparation of food.
Permits are valid for 14 days for one location for participation in a single event or celebration.
Temporary Retail Food Establishment Permit Application
Temporary Retail Food Establishment Permit Application (Chinese)
Temporary Retail Food Establishment Permit Application (Spanish)
Temporary Retail Food Establishment Permit Application (Vietnamese)
Raw Produce Permits
When distributing commercially grown, uncut raw produce, this permit is required.
Permits are valid for 1 year for a single location.
Raw Produce Permit Application
Raw Produce Permit Application (Chinese)
Raw Produce Permit Application (Spanish)
Raw Produce Permit Application (Vietnamese)
Complete the appropriate Permit application and bring it to the Environmental Health Department at 1 Civic Plaza NW 87102 or fax the document to 505-768-2698 or if
you need assistance, call 505-768-2738.
All applications must be submitted at least 1 (one) week prior to the event.
Please note, permits submitted after 4:30 p.m. may not be processed until the next business day.
Fees
Temporary Food-Service Establishment Permit: $25.00
Temporary Retail Food Establishment Permit: $50.00
Raw Produce Permit: $15.00