Selling Food?
The public perception of pop-up market food stalls is that anybody can set up a food stall. But, there's more than it meets the eye.
Other than the great idea to monetize secret recipe that makes your food a hit with your friends, and customers - there're the business operations costs such as manpower, logistics, marketing and commitment costs.
And also regulations set by the National Environmental Agency (soon to be the Singapore Food Agency).
So it really depends on many factors. Let's first begin with the permits application...
Other than the great idea to monetize secret recipe that makes your food a hit with your friends, and customers - there're the business operations costs such as manpower, logistics, marketing and commitment costs.
And also regulations set by the National Environmental Agency (soon to be the Singapore Food Agency).
So it really depends on many factors. Let's first begin with the permits application...
Under Section 35 of the Environmental Public Health Act, Chapter 95, no person shall promote, organise or stage any temporary fair, stage show or other such function or activity without first obtaining a permit from the Director-General of Public Health.
This act covers the organising of pop-up markets, and there can some exceptions, in the case where the venue is already pre-licensed by the URA, NEA, SCDF, BCA etcetera for such purposes, then a temporary trade fair permit is not required IF no live station food booths are involved.
If live station food booths (i.e. food is handled and prepared on-site), then :
If live station food booths (i.e. food is handled and prepared on-site), then :
- Temporary Trade Fair Permits must be applied for by the organiser, and
- Trade Fair Food Stall Licenses must be applied for by the stall holders.
As part of the ORGANIZERS' application for a Temporary Trade Fair permit, we are required to:
Then and only then would our application form be complete.
For more information please google for the SFA website for your own verification and details.
Note : all the above costs money to provide. So now you know why food booths are much more expensive. We call this 'compliance costs'.
- Submit copies of participants' NRIC and other contact details.
- Appoint an NEA licensed cleaning contractor to clean up the space
- Provide water basins with fresh water supply and disposal services
- Submit SCDF approval for the layout
- Submit PUB approval for the use of temporary water point that has to be installed by licensed PUB plumbers
- Submit EMA's approval for the use of generator sets, completed with endorsement from a qualified Licensed Electrical Worker of which electrical line drawings would have to be produced.
- Submit other documents such as letter of no objections from LTA, NPARKs, support from Merchants' Associations,
Then and only then would our application form be complete.
For more information please google for the SFA website for your own verification and details.
Note : all the above costs money to provide. So now you know why food booths are much more expensive. We call this 'compliance costs'.
In lieu of the PDPA laws that were set in Sep 2019, TGIF Bazaars will no longer be able to help Food Merchants apply for their temporary food stall permits. Hence Food Merchants or Stall holders would have to do this themselves.
As part of the STALL HOLDERS' application for a Temporary Trade Fair permit, you are required to:
Then and only then would your application form be complete.
More information can be found at the SFA website.
As part of the STALL HOLDERS' application for a Temporary Trade Fair permit, you are required to:
- Submit signed copy of the Trade Fair Food Stall application form
- Submit copies of participants' NRIC and other contact details.
- Submit list of licensed food handlers who are manning the stall
- Submit list of foods that you intend to sell at the food stall.
- Abide by code of practices set by SFA.
Then and only then would your application form be complete.
More information can be found at the SFA website.
What if you're selling pre-packed food such as tidbits, snacks or crackers?
If these foods are pre-packed and sealed from an approved SFA source, such as a factory, central kitchen, restaurant, hawker stall etc, then there is no direct contact with the food and there is no food handling.
The packages must be properly labelled with a 'best before' or 'consume by' date, and contact details of the business selling it.
In this case, no wash basin in your stall is required and you do not need to have a wash basin.
SAMPLING is also permitted, so long as what is opened for sampling is not for sale.
If the pre-packed foodstuff to sell are imported, please ensure that these are imported by proper channels, including clearance from AVA. If you are buying from a supplier, please ensure that these are credible suppliers to protect yourselves.
The packages must be properly labelled with a 'best before' or 'consume by' date, and contact details of the business selling it.
In this case, no wash basin in your stall is required and you do not need to have a wash basin.
SAMPLING is also permitted, so long as what is opened for sampling is not for sale.
If the pre-packed foodstuff to sell are imported, please ensure that these are imported by proper channels, including clearance from AVA. If you are buying from a supplier, please ensure that these are credible suppliers to protect yourselves.
Can home based chefs sell at Pop-up Markets without applying for a Food Stall?
The short answer is no. Home based chefs who have no food handling certifications cannot apply for live station food booths. Neither can they sell pre-packed food from an unapproved source, including their homes.
Can home-made cookies or foodstuff be sold in a Pop-up Market ?
The short answer is no. But they can still participate for sampling, marketing and friends making campaigns.
HDB / URA HOME BASED SMALL SCALE BUSINESS SCHEME
The Home Based Small Scale Business Scheme by HDB and URA allows residents to carry out activities in their HDB and private residential premises to supplement their income. Under this scheme, residents can prepare small quantities of food for sale to their friends and relatives without turning their residences into a commercial outlet.
A licence is not required from SFA. Nonetheless, residents preparing food under the scheme can refer to these guidelines on good hygiene tips to adopt.
What this means: You can't sell to the public, so you can't participate in flea markets to sell.... BUT you can participate in flea markets to provide sampling of your products and introduce your own brand... as well as to make friends!
Get them to become your Facebook, Instagram, Wechat, Telegram friends! And then you can sell to them thereafter.
TGIF Bazaars requires participating home bakers to possess food handling certification.
The Home Based Small Scale Business Scheme by HDB and URA allows residents to carry out activities in their HDB and private residential premises to supplement their income. Under this scheme, residents can prepare small quantities of food for sale to their friends and relatives without turning their residences into a commercial outlet.
A licence is not required from SFA. Nonetheless, residents preparing food under the scheme can refer to these guidelines on good hygiene tips to adopt.
What this means: You can't sell to the public, so you can't participate in flea markets to sell.... BUT you can participate in flea markets to provide sampling of your products and introduce your own brand... as well as to make friends!
Get them to become your Facebook, Instagram, Wechat, Telegram friends! And then you can sell to them thereafter.
TGIF Bazaars requires participating home bakers to possess food handling certification.
Adapted from our original blog
Brought to you by TGIF Bazaars
