01/05/2026
Should you look for an Occupation License and Health Permit, and does it matter?
~This is for your information only~
The answer: YES and YES
When you go to a restaurant or food truck, they should have both posted within eye sight. This signifies they have gone through the process to obtain rights to sell you food.
What does each mean?
Health Dept. Permit: tells you that the establishment has been rigorously examined, certified, and they know how too and can serve you safe food.
Occupational License: tells you the establishment has done everything they are required to, and they are allowed to sell their product in the city the Occ. Lic. is issued from only.
Health Dept. Permit must be obtained before Occ. Lic. is given out.
Getting permitted takes weeks, regardless if you agree or not on government oversight, this is necessary. The Health Dept’s major concern is if a business can and will serve safe food. They also require that someone in charge of your food is educated on how to handle it properly.
When you notice these papers posted, that is a business telling you, “Hey, we care about you! We care about serving you safe food!”
On this page we have many unpermitted people advertising their food for sale.
*Selling out of their house
Some Caters
Certain Food Trucks
Pop-up tents
Road side bar-b-que pits
Etc.
*Cottage Bakers can sell out their house
When you purchase from these types of vendors, you are doing it at your own risk!
There are many different reasons why they choose to not go through with permitting and licensing. No matter the reason or circumstance, they are silently telling you, “I don’t care about my consumers!” They care for your support and money, but they refuse to submit to proper health standards.
This should concern you SWLA!!!
You supporting this type of vendor is dangerous and doing a disservice to the local businesses that have done everything they can to make sure you are safe.
Next time you order from a food truck or restaurant, look around. Speak up if you don’t see these papers posted. Stay away from questionable vendors.
These vendors show up on weekends only or only after 5pm. They do this to avoid The City or Health Dept. Officers. They come from out of town, make a quick buck and see you again next weekend.
Vendors that are cooking anything outside in the open should draw questions. This is only allowed in festivals, where they have oversight from event organizers.
This may come off as pointing fingers, and an attempt to garner more business for myself. And to be completely honest, partially for both, but the majority of my reasoning behind this post, is for your safety SWLA. I have made a business giving people an avenue to make safe food that The City and Health Dept recognizes. Keep yourself safe, and honor the ones they have gone the extra mile to make sure you get the quality of food your hard earned money paid for!
