Vendors must apply for food vendor permit for Fourth of July event

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Part of any Fourth of July celebration is the food. The Snyder Chamber of Commerce’s annual event at Towle Park is no different.
The deadline for food vendors to apply for a permit for Snyder’s Fourth of July celebration is June 20. To date, 38 vendors have registered with the chamber to sell food.
Scurry County Health Unit Director Dana Hartman said her office works to make sure each vendor follows the proper guidelines when it comes to preparing and selling food.
“Normally, with temporary vendors for events like this, we have them turn in their applications, menus and stuff like that about 10 days before the event,” Hartman said. “We give them a packet of information regarding food safety, hand-washing and food preparation.”
Hartman also reminded vendors that at least one person in the booth must hold a food-handler permit, which is required by state law.
On the day of the event, the health unit does an inspection on each vendor to make sure they followed all regulations. If the vendor passes inspection, he or she is issued a permit for the event. All food must be cooked on-site on the day of the event, Hartman said.
She also said vendors are asked not to sell any seafood or anything that is egg-based, particularly in the July heat.
“The last thing we want is a foodborne illness outbreak,” Hartman said. “That’s something we work very hard to prevent.”