Additional Permits and Licenses
Please review the McLennan County Health District’s Farmers Market Inspection Checklist and Food Safety Regulations for Farmers Markets Guide.
ALL vendors preparing food on-site MUST obtain a Farmers Market Permit from the Waco-McLennan County Health District. Businesses must also hold a food manager’s license. Contact the Health District with more questions at (254) 750- 5467.
Need a Food Handler Certificate for you or an employee? Here's a link from our friends at Texas Center for Local Food.
Obtain your Food Managers License via an online certification course.
If you are interested in selling processed or value-added goods (ready-to-eat foods, most canned items, etc), you must obtain a Food Manufacturers License from the Department of Health and Human Services – as well as operate out of a commercial kitchen.
Cottage Food Businesses
Cottage Food Businesses MUST follow all labeling and product guidelines as outlined in the Texas Cottage Food Law. All foods prepared under the Texas Cottage Food Law must be labeled correctly, or the Market Manager has the right to ask you to remove the product from your table. Here is the information about Texas Cottage Food Law Labeling.
Please review the additional following resources:
Texas DSHS Texas Cottage Food Production, including the registry link for cottage food vendors
Texas-based Farmers Market Vendor Resources
Texas Center for Local Food offers free and low-cost services to Texas farm businesses.
TXFED courses: Texas Local Food Education & Discovery
Texas Local Food Directory: Find Fresh, Local Food and Farms in Texas
1-on-1 Consultation Services: 1-on-1 Consultations - Texas Center for Local Food