cart question

Ok, question. Most health depts require a commissary for hotdog carts. The one in the below link is fully enclosed and has 3 wash sinks and 1 handwash sink. Pretty much like a concession trailer just on the small end. Would this trailer eliminate the need for a commissary since you can prepare and wash utensils in it? I am guessing it would as it is really no different than any other concession trailer.


cartconcept.com/food-vending-trailer-7212.html

I have searched the forum but can not find any info pertaining to this

quote:

Originally posted by scali71

Ok, question. Most health depts require a commissary for hotdog carts. The one in the below link is fully enclosed and has 3 wash sinks and 1 handwash sink. Pretty much like a concession trailer just on the small end. Would this trailer eliminate the need for a commissary since you can prepare and wash utensils in it? I am guessing it would as it is really no different than any other concession trailer.

It just depends on your local health codes and zoning rules. Every city is different and no one here can answer for your local laws. Tomorrow morning call and then meet with your health department in the area you plan on operating in.Again every city is different and some counties differ from cities within those counties. You have to do your home work in the local area you plan on working. In fact you'd be wise to write them a letter, right after you talk to them in person, confirming exactly what transpired during your in person meeting.This is very important. If you do more research here you'd understand why.
Jack

quote:

Originally posted by scali71

Ok, question. Most health depts require a commissary for hotdog carts. The one in the below link is fully enclosed and has 3 wash sinks and 1 handwash sink. Pretty much like a concession trailer just on the small end. Would this trailer eliminate the need for a commissary since you can prepare and wash utensils in it? I am guessing it would as it is really no different than any other concession trailer.

Generally, if you need to refill a fresh water tank and dump a grey water tank then you'll need a commissary. If you plan on having any storage of food inventory for restocking, you'll also need a commissary.

quote:

Originally posted by davebugg

Originally posted by scali71
Ok, question. Most health depts require a commissary for hotdog carts. The one in the below link is fully enclosed and has 3 wash sinks and 1 handwash sink. Pretty much like a concession trailer just on the small end.

Originally posted by davebugg
Generally, if you need to refill a fresh water tank and dump a grey water tank then you'll need a commissary. If you plan on having any storage of food inventory for restocking, you'll also need a commissary.

Dave,
With all due respect: that's not correct in some areas, and not correct in any way shape or form here in Illinois.So there are No Generalities in this business. There are specific rules and regulations that must be adhered to and they differ greatly in different cities, states, and counties. In Illinois that cart would be considered a commissary in most but not all areas. But if you give a newbie some supposedly general thought he or she could end up spending a ton of money, time and energy in a wasted effort of all three before they sit down and talk to the local officals about their local rules and regulations.Keep in mind many that write to this forum have a dream that they are trying to follow and if given bad advice, even with good intentions they're off and running in what could turn out to be a very costly wrong direction.Again it just depends on your local health codes and zoning rules.

Every city is different and no one here can answer for your local laws. Go sit down with your local health department, zoning department, and anyone else that may have any authority over a concession trailer or cart and get your advice from the people that write and enforce the rules and regulations.

Just one good example here in Springfield if I decide to go to the city and pay $3.75 per parking meter per day (with no limit on the number of days or meters used) I can park my trailer curbside anywhere in the city and operate with complete immunity from zoning rules and regulations. However if I pull into a parking lot and set up I have tons of city zoning rules and regulations that I have to adhere to. I know it's crazy but zoning in our area has no authority over a cart or trailer on city streets. On a Springfield city street at curbside the only inspector you'll have to deal with is the health department.

Jack

PS Did I say Go sit down with your local health department, zoning department, and anyone else that may have any authority over a concession trailer or cart and get your advice from the people that write and enforce the rules and regulations.

Doc is right. In Springfield, Misouri you can not sell from the curb or sidewalk at all, you must be on private property. You can not park in a hospital or college parking lot. And the hospital here was gonna be my first choice. It is large and in a high traffic intersection. Found out from building and zoning dept. that I can not park there. Would of been embarresing to spend a bunch of money and then have to work out a new plan after getting a truck. Here cities 10 miles apart have totally differant regs. Like Doc said, talk with local gov depts where you plan on working, they have final say

I've not been on this board very long, but I've seen a truckload of questions on this very subject. Jack's advice seems pretty sound to me. Perhaps a thread on this subject could be pinned to the top of the Professional category so that when a newbie comes looking for advice on regulatory rules for a cart, they can click on it. I can see why someone would come to a message board for operational ideas regarding carts, but I can't imagine why anyone would go anywhere other than their local government and/or health department to find the rules for their particular location. Just sayin'.

If you do need a local "commissary", check out your local Veterans clubs, Elks Clubs etc. Even if you don't plan on storing there, they can use some kind of "stipend". Just a thought.

quote:

Dave,
With all due respect: that's not correct in some areas,...snip

Sorry. I used the word 'generally' as a non-specific modifier to what I said, not as a definitive definition. I never intended for what I had stated to be viewed as a universal, iron-clad commandment. My bad. Having worked for public health for 17 years prior to opening my restaurant and kitchens, I was merely offering what, from my experience, are the most common reasons for vending carts to be required to have a seperate commissary.

Do you mean that a health department in Illinois will allow a cart operator to take his steam pans home and wash them there or on the cart itself? Where can they dump the gray water? Here in Charlotte, if you sell hot dogs only, you can operate as a "push-cart" and not have any sinks or water tanks at all....BUT, the push-cart has to go to an approved commissary every day for cleaning. I can't imagine washing greasy pans in the small sinks we see on carts.

That's great advice though to make sure you have what's required or not from your local health department before you invest in a cart.

quote:

Originally posted by kensandyeggo
Do you mean that a health department in Illinois will allow a cart operator to take his steam pans home and wash them there or on the cart itself? Where can they dump the gray water?

There are specific rules and regulations and they differ greatly in different cities, states, and counties, in Illinois as I said repeatedly.LMAO

But in Springfield if you have a fresh water tank,hot water heater, gray water tank, 3 hole sink, refrigeration for your product,your good to go. Not to say it doesn't get somewhat more specific than that but those are the base rules.Gray water may be discharged in any city or county sewer system. I worked an event on a 80 acre field all grass recently (in Illinois but not my county) and the health department knew all 13 vendors were dumping their gray water right on the spot.
Now whats interesting is that was a four day event. So again There are specific rules and regulations and they differ greatly in different cities, states, and counties, in Illinois.
Jack