As local organizations are looking to sell food or beverages while RAGBRAI travels through Washington County, permits are required to ensure food safety for those visiting our local communities.

Washington County Food Safety Specialist Jason Taylor says applications for food permits have already been coming in from local residents and from those as far away as Colorado. Taylor clarifies in what situations a food permit is required, “For your nonprofits if you’re not going to be set up on your actual, what your property is, then a food license is required. If say a church is going to have a meal at the church then they are exempt from licensing, but if that same church took their food and go up to the street where they’re having the different vendors then they would be required to have a license.”

Taylor says a food permit is not required for selling already sealed products like bottled water. Taylor will be traveling along the RAGBRAI route in Washington County July 27 to ensure permits have been obtained and safe and sanitary food preparation practices are being taken. To contact Taylor with any questions or information on obtaining a food permit click here.