This is a question I have brought up at past meetings and have received lukewarm to indifferent response. I feel we need to set up a real consession stand so that visitors and spectators can purchase food and beverage without having to walk into our clubhouse. Many people who come to our shows aren't aware we have refreshments. The response is that we will need to get a vendors license, blah, blah,blah.
I have been to a few events now and the consessions are all held outdoors in a field and it seems that since most clubs are nonprofit, there would be no need for licensing.
Any takers on this subject.
jollyroger
Also there is no real control over sales. It is mostly drop a buck in the can or donation.
I really feel this is not the way to do this.

Man... I wish we had a club house to walk into!

I have been handling concessions for our club for 14 years. We are fortunate in that our clubhouse has a window facing the spectator area and a window facing the pit area so serving through both makes it nice. Not sure about the laws up your way but being a "non profit" normally does not mean you don't need licenses, inspections, etc (any revenue source to a local government is fair game). However, the reality may be that if you don't do this on a regular basis (weekly, etc) no one will give a hoot. We are located on private property (we own it) in the country and have never had any problems. We have also advertised events and always included "concessions available" without any problems.

I recently attended a local event at a club that is located at a public park facility and they had two vendors and I noticed that each had a local license. Might be a tad trickier to do your own stuff if you are on public land (parks, etc).

Not sure worse case here but we always figured if "they" said anything to us it would just be to not do it anymore unless we get whatever they think we need. We would address it then.

Dan

I hadn't really ever thought about this before, but now that you have brought it up, there are "other implications" that have started popping into my head. Like, what if someone gets sick, and claims it is because of something your club served...as Unliscensed food handlers? I have no idea if there is actually a concern there, but nowdays, who knows?

I've been involved in the concession stand on and off for 20 years. There is no licensing in Ohio for non-profit groups and club members cook and serve under a pop-up canopy surrounded by 8ft tables.
All members are asked to bring ice in coolers and we cook hamburgers, brats and hot dogs on propane grills. All food and beverage is taken care of by volunteers.
So far we haven't poisoned anyone yet and we do it 2 to 3 times per year.

Until recently, I owned and operated a small fleet of concession stands at fairs and festivals throughout this region. There are really only two things you need to check out.

1. Your local codes. Every town I've been to has been different. Some follow state health dept. guidelines, some are county, and some are local. Call your local inspector and ask him for a copy of the codes that apply to you, if any. They should be more than happy to help you. In the past, I've seen everything from no codes at all to making a closing time run to the lumberyard for materials to build a screened enclosure for my smoker, lest I not be able to open.

2. Insurance. Yes, it's expensive, but invaluable in this litigation happy society. Keep the mantra that clean is never clean enough and you'll never have to use it.

Just use common sense and everything will be fine. Fun even. And remember, brats always sell, period, and the best corn dog batter is Dr. Pepper based. Enjoy.

Bud