Food Vendor Regulations
Please note that this website is for informational purposes only, intended to educate prospective food vendors. The Madison County Health Department is the authority which sets and enforces these regulations.
Full details and applications for the MCHD permitting process can be found here:
https://www.madisoncountyil.gov/departments/health/food_sanitation_program.php
If you have any questions after reading the information below, regarding permitting, food safety training, or have general questions regarding selling food at temporary events, please contact:
Madison County Health Department, Environmental Health Division
101 East Edwardsville Road Wood River, Illinois 62095
E-mail: eh@madisoncountyil.gov
Phone: (618) 296-6079
New MCHD Requirement in 2026 for ready-to-eat food vendors
The Madison County Health Department has observed two growing trends concerning temporary food events: single-day temporary events are increasing, and food items being served at these events are becoming more complex and higher food safety risks. In effort to promote food safety at events such as single-day temporary events, the Madison County Health Department is now requiring all food vendors who will participate at a single-day temporary event to attend a temporary event food safety training class ANNUALLY prior to the event.
This 45-minute training is FREE and will be offered in-person at the Madison County Wood River Facility at 101 East Edwardsville Road in Wood River, Illinois. The training will be offered in person EVERY WEDNESDAY at 3:00 pm and run until the end of the temporary event season. On-line training is anticipated to be available late February. Single-day temporary event vendors will receive a certificate of attendance valid for the calendar year.
The food safety training class will review key elements in food safety and focus specifically on temporary events, including cold holding/cooking/hot holding temperatures, hand washing station set-up, three- compartment dish washing station set-up, sanitizer/test strips, and much more. If you have questions, please contact our department at 618-296-6079 or email eh@madisoncountyil.gov.
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If you will be selling food that has been made in your home kitchen directly to consumers, you are considered a COTTAGE FOOD VENDOR
For full details, please see the IL Dept. of Public Health Cottage Food Guide
– A cottage food license from the Madison County Health Dept. is required (cost: $25 per year)
– You must take a certified food manager course and submit your certificate of completion at the first market you attend
– You may not sell products containing certain ingredients such as dairy or meat (see the Cottage Food Guide for a full list of ingredients that are not allowed)
If you will be selling food that has been made in a commercial kitchen which has been inspected and permitted by the Madison County Health Department:
– You may sell products containing some ingredients that are not allowed as a Cottage Food Vendor (dairy, meat, etc.)
– A certified food manager certificate is not required
– Please contact the Madison County Health Department to see if you will need any additional permits/forms
If you hold a Food Sanitation Permit with Madison County Health Department:
– You may sell your products with no restrictions. There is no fee for facilities that have a permitted establishment. Please make sure to review the Temporary Food Service Guidelines.
– If you are making that product on-site please complete the Temporary Food Service Establishment Application application and submit to MCHD
If you will be selling food that is made at the market, you are considered a TEMPORARY FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT:
– A temporary event permit from the Madison County Health Dept. is required (cost: $75 per year)
– A commercial kitchen is not required
– No ingredients can be prepared at home in advance, everything must be cooked on-site
– A certified food manager certificate is not required, but you will need to adhere to all of the rules stated in the Temporary Food Service Guidelines
If you would like to provide samples of your edible product at the market
A sampling license from the State of Illinois is required, for full details:
https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/food-safety/farmers-markets.html
EGG PRODUCERS:
The State egg inspector has advised that we keep a copy of everyone’s egg license on file, so please include a copy with your registration form.
The complete Illinois regulatory guidelines for foods often found at farmers markets can be found here:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/pdf/IDPH_FDD_TIB_30_Farmers_Markets_051613.pdf