In May 2021, the Austin City Council voted to provide relief to Charitable Feeding Organizations.  Austin Water Industrial Waste, Austin Public Health and Development Services Department (DSD) Commercial Plan Review are working together to carry out this aid. 

For Industrial Waste, the assistance includes a coordinated review of plans, waiving of wastewater surcharge and discharge permit fees (standard monthly water/wastewater charges still apply) and possibly waiving requirements for a Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor.

Per Austin City Code §10-3-100, a Charitable Feeding Organization (CFO) is a food establishment that provides food without charge and is operated by a civic or fraternal organization, charity, lodge, association, proprietorship or corporation with a 501(C) exemption under the Internal Revenue Code or religious organization meeting the definition of “church” under the Internal Revenue Code, §170(b)(1)(A)(I). These food establishments solicit, warehouse and redistribute edible food to persons who feed needy individuals (within the City of Austin only). Examples of CFOs include (but are not limited to) food pantries, central food banks, soup kitchens, community kitchens and non-profit food delivery services.

The City of Austin recognizes four categories of CFOs.  Please click on the boxes for information about each category including the registration process with and aid provided by Industrial Waste.

CFO Category 1

Definition:

  • A CFO that distributes only shelf-stable food and uncut produce.

Food Examples:

  • Pre-packaged non-Time or Temperature Controlled for Safety foods
  • Whole fruits and vegetables

Service Types:

  • Limited - No open food handling. Storage of shelf stable foods and uncut produce only.  

Industrial Waste Submittal Requirements:

Benefits Provided to Category 1 CFOs by Industrial Waste:

  • Exempt from wastewater surcharge and discharge permit fees.*
  • Exempt from the Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor installation requirement.**

Registration Notes:

  • Registration with Industrial Waste is a one-time process unless there are additional locations added or a change in food type or food service.
  • After approval by Industrial Waste, if the food type or food service changes, the CFO owner or operator must submit an updated written description of food practices on organizational letterhead. Industrial Waste staff will reassess whether a Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor is needed based on the change in operations.

* Standard monthly water/wastewater charges are still applicable.

** CFOs that have received a Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor waiver from Industrial Waste but subsequently cause a Sanitary Sewer Overflow or issues within the wastewater collection system will be required to install a grease trap or grease interceptor at a later date.

CFO Category 2

Definition:

  • A CFO that distributes and may portion commercially prepared and packaged Time or Temperature Controlled for Safety (TCS) foods.

Food Examples:

  • All pre-packaged TCS foods.

Service Types:

  • Limited - Can minimally handle open foods, including portioning commercially prepared and packaged TCS foods.

Industrial Waste Submittal Requirements:

Benefits Provided to Category 2 CFOs by Industrial Waste:

  • Exempt from wastewater surcharge and discharge permit fees.*
  • Exempt from the Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor installation requirement.**

Registration Notes:

  • Registration with Industrial Waste is a one-time process unless there are additional locations added or a change in food type or food service. 
  • After approval by Industrial Waste, if the food type or food service changes, the CFO owner or operator must submit an updated written description of food practices on organizational letterhead. Industrial Waste staff will reassess whether a Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor is needed based on the change in operations.

* Standard monthly water/wastewater charges are still applicable.

** CFOs that have received a Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor waiver from Industrial Waste but subsequently cause a Sanitary Sewer Overflow or issues within the wastewater collection system will be required to install a grease trap or grease interceptor at a later date.

CFO Category 3

Definition: 

  • A CFO that heats and/or portions commercially prepared foods that are Time or Temperature Controlled for Safety (TCS) for same-day service or delivery.

Food Examples:

  • All TCS foods.

Service Types:

Limited - Heats and/or portions commercially prepared TCS foods for same-day service only.

Industrial Waste Submittal Requirements:

  • Existing Facilities:
    • Proof of 501(C) status or meeting requirements of a church. 
    • Set of Scalable Drawings showing all plumbing fixtures, kitchen equipment and sanitary/grease waste pipes.
    • A written description of food practices on organization letterhead (completed by the owner or operator of the CFO).
  • New Facility or New Use:
    • Follow Development Services Department (DSD) Commercial Plan Review standards & guidelines.
  • All Facilities:
  • Submit all required documents to DSD Commercial Plan Review. 

Benefits Provided to Category 3 CFOs by Industrial Waste:

  • Exempt from wastewater surcharge and discharge permit fees.*
  • Industrial Waste staff will assess whether a Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor will be required or waived on a case-by-case basis.**

Registration Notes:

  • Registration with Industrial Waste is a one-time process unless there are additional locations added or a change in food type or food service.
  • After approval by Industrial Waste, if the food type or food service changes, the CFO owner or operator must submit an updated written description of food practices on organizational letterhead. Industrial Waste staff will reassess whether a Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor is needed based on the change in operations.

* Standard monthly water/wastewater charges are still applicable.

** CFOs that have received a Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor waiver from Industrial Waste but subsequently cause a Sanitary Sewer Overflow or issues within the wastewater collection system will be required to install a grease trap or grease interceptor at a later date.

CFO Category 4

Definition:

  • A CFO that cooks, cools or warms Time or Temperature Controlled for Safety (TCS) foods for same-day or future service or delivery. Includes soup kitchens & community kitchens.

Food Examples:

  • All TCS foods.

Service Types:

  • Full-Service - Food preparation, cooking, packaging and/or distribution.

Industrial Waste Submittal Requirements:

  • Existing Facilities:
    • Proof of 501(C) status or meeting requirements of a church. 
    • Set of Scalable Drawings showing all plumbing fixtures, kitchen equipment and sanitary/grease waste pipes.
    • A written description of food practices on organization letterhead (completed by the owner or operator of the CFO).
  • New Facility or New Use:
    • Follow Development Services Department (DSD) Commercial Plan Review standards & guidelines.
  • All Facilities:
  • Submit all required documents to DSD Commercial Plan Review.

Benefit Provided to Category 4 CFOs by Industrial Waste:

Exempt from wastewater surcharge and discharge permit fees.*

Registration Notes:

Registration with Industrial Waste is a one-time process unless there are additional locations added or a change in food type or food service.

After approval by Industrial Waste, if the food type or food service changes, the CFO owner or operator must submit an updated written description of food practices on organizational letterhead. Industrial Waste staff will reassess whether a Grease Trap or Grease Interceptor is needed based on the change in operations.

* Standard monthly water/wastewater charges are still applicable.

CFO Guides and Resources

Related Austin City Code

Industrial Waste Terminology

Below is a list of terminology specific to Industrial Waste that you may encounter during the Charitable Feeding Organization (CFO) registration process.

  • Austin Water Industrial Waste: Austin Water's Industrial Waste program helps regulate any waste that is not normal domestic waste.  It is important that Industrial Waste has a record of any organization handling food to ensure the wastewater quality discharged into the City’s sanitary sewer system and wastewater treatment plant meet federal and state regulations.
     
  • Grease Interceptor Installation Variance Request (GIIVR) Form: The GIIVR Form is used to request to operate without a grease trap or grease interceptor from the Austin Water Industrial Waste program.  This applies to only certain facilities and CFO categories including those serving pre-packaged foods in the original unopened container, providing drinks only or cutting fruit as some examples.
     
  • Grease Trap/Interceptor: Grease Traps/Interceptors are designed to separate the Fats, Oil and Grease along with solids normally found in food preparation waste from being discharged as wastewater to the City's sanitary sewer system. This helps protect the City from sanitary sewer overflows.

    The requirement to have a Grease Trap/Interceptor as laid out in Chapter 15-10 (Wastewater Regulations) of the Austin City Code may be waived for CFOs.
     

  • Wastewater Discharge Permit Fees: A permit from the Austin Water Pretreatment (Industrial Waste) Program is required to discharge any industrial wastewater into the City's wastewater collection system. Different permits are issued based on the nature of the business and the volume and characteristics of the wastewater to be discharged.  Wastewater Discharge Permits are automatically renewed annually in December for the next calendar year when the customer is active. 

    CFOs registered with Industrial Waste are exempt from wastewater discharge permit fees.
     

  • Wastewater Surcharges Fees: Wastewater Surcharges Fees are charged to businesses that discharge wastewater exceeding “normal” wastewater standards.  This is to help cover the cost of treatment and is required by federal regulations. The surcharge fee differs for each food establishment based on wastewater sampling from each establishment.  The surcharge fee, which is included in the business’ monthly utility bill, can be reduced with water conservation techniques and proper grease trap maintenance if there is a grease trap on site.

    CFOs registered with Industrial Waste are exempt from wastewater surcharge fees.

Frequently Asked Questions 

  • How do I know what category my CFO is?
    The CFO Application on the Austin Public Health Charitable Feeding Organizations webpage includes a “Self-guided Category Determination” worksheet.  Industrial Waste staff can also assist in determining the category based on the CFO’s specific food type and food handling.
     
  • What should I include in the required written description of food practices?
    The letter needs to be on organization letterhead and should include the CFO location(s), a brief description of types of foods handled (ex. whole/cut produce, non-perishable foods only, pre-packaged foods in the original unopened container, etc.) and the service type (ex. storage and distribution of non-perishable foods, serving pre-made meals with disposable trays and disposable cutlery, portioning commercially prepared and packaged Time-Temperature-Controlled-for-Safety foods, etc.).  Please note, the description of food practices needs to be completed by a responsible party involved in the day-to-day operations of the CFO.
     
  • If my CFO has multiple locations, do I need to submit a GIIVR Form for each location?
    No, please submit one (1) GIIVR Form for all locations.  If there are multiple addresses for your CFO, please list each address on the written description of food practices on organization letterhead.  Also indicate which address you would like to be the primary address (this cannot be a PO Box).  Finally, on the “Business Address” line of the GIIVR Form, reference the listing of addresses on the letterhead. 
     
  • My CFO is a category 3 or 4, do I need to complete a GIIVR Form?
    Maybe – this will depend on the food handing and service type of your CFO.  Please contact Elizabeth Coy (Client Relationship Coordinator for the Austin Water Special Services Division) at 512-972-1079 or elizabeth.coy@austintexas.gov to set-up a virtual meeting to discuss the operations of your CFO.
     
  • What if my CFO has an existing grease trap or grease interceptor that is no longer being used?
    Please contact Elizabeth Coy at 512-972-1079 or elizabeth.coy@austintexas.gov to set-up a virtual meeting to discuss the current food handling practices of your CFO and potential options related to the existing grease trap.
     
  • I received an Industrial Waste Approval Letter for my CFO.  Do I need to print it out?
    No, you do not need to print the Approval Letter as it is available on a cloud-based system should any of the Industrial Waste Specialists need to reference it.
     
  • What if I have additional questions related to Industrial Waste CFO Registration?
    Please contact Elizabeth Coy at 512-972-1079 or via email at elizabeth.coy@austintexas.gov

 

Related Links
Austin Public Health: Charitable Feeding Organizations
Development Services Department Commercial Plan Review