Catering Information

The Board of Health, through the staff of the Health Department, is tasked with safeguarding public health and ensuring food is safe for public consumption. Health Department staff provide guidance and information to preparers of food, including local restaurants, caterers, and retail stores, in educating workers in safe food preparation and handling to help minimize potential adverse health effects and to help raise awareness of potential food-borne illness.

What type of permit do I need for a catering event?         

The following types of “catering” permits are issued through the Health Department:

• Annual (valid January 1 – December 31)
• Catering One Day/Temporary Food Permit (valid for one day only)
• Catering – Drop Off Only (one day only permit specific to food being dropped off for either semi-public or a public event)
  • Letter to Caterers 5-3-2024

Private catered Event versus Public Food event

Catered Event - Events where a caterer prepares the food either at their base of operations or onsite at the event venue and where catering staff will be present.  An Annual or One Day/Temp Food permit is required along with submission of the proposed menu, location of the event, a copy of catering permit issued from the town in which business is licensed in, proof of food safety training, and a recent inspection report.

Non-Catered Event - Events where a caterer prepares the food at their base of operations and drops the prepared food off at the event venue. A Catering – Drop Off Only permit is required along with submission of the proposed menu, location of the event, a copy of catering permit issued from the town in which business is licensed in, proof of food safety training, and a recent inspection report. This type of permit is required for semi-public or public events.  

Public (Semi-Public) Event - Open to the "general public".  A Public Event is defined as "an event that is advertised with fliers, banners, newspaper articles, radio or TV announcements, or by other means, (regardless of whether or not a fee is charged), is considered a public (semi-public) event and is subject to health code requirements of the regulatory authority."

• No food for a public event should be made in a home kitchen, the exception being baked goods such as cookies, brownies or cakes or exempt potluck. A bake sale is the only public event that does not require a temporary permit.

Private Event - A private event is an exclusive group, which could include family, friends, neighbors or committee members meeting over a shared meal in a private residence. In this type of situation, a permit from the Board of Health is not needed. Food prepared in a home kitchen is allowed only at a private event or at Potluck suppers.

Some events may ride the fine line between a public or semi-public event and a private even. The Health Department is available to answer your questions and assist you with any additional information you may need to clarify the type of permit needed. Please contact us by phone at 781-784-1500, ext 1205.