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Charitable Feeding Organizations

This program works with operators of Charitable Feeding Organizations to ensure food safety. A Charitable Feeding Organization (CFO) is a food enterprise that provides food without charge, that solicits, warehouses, and redistributes edible food to persons who feed needy individuals and is operated by a civic or fraternal organization, charity, lodge, association, proprietorship or corporation possessing a 501(C) exemption under the Internal Revenue Code; or religious organizations meeting the definition of “church” under the Internal Revenue Code, §170(b)(1)(A)(I).

The term Charitable Food Organization includes but is not limited to food pantries, central food banks, soup kitchens, community kitchens, and nonprofit food delivery services.

How to Submit an Application

To submit an application, follow the steps below:

  1. Visit Login | Austin Public Health | My Health Department.
  2. Create an account online and log-in using your account information.
  3. Click Retail and Wholesale Food Applications -> Charitable Feeding Organization General Application.
  4. Click Submit a New Charitable Feeding Organization General Application.

  5. Follow the built-in instructions to fill out the application form (*required fields have red asterisk).

  6. Sign the document to acknowledge that the information is true and correct.

  7. Upload any pertinent files.

  8. Save draft (and edit later if needed).

  9. Click Submit.

  10. From the dashboard, click Past Submissions to view and edit the application, attach new files or add messages. 

If you have trouble navigating the online portal, please visit our office at 1520 Rutherford Ln, Bldg. 1 Ste 205, Austin, TX 78754. Our staff will help you to submit your application online.

Printable versions of the applications are available below:

For Category 3 and 4 Only: Pre-opening Inspection Request

A pre-opening inspection is required to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy after a new or remodeled construction to ensure the approved plans were followed, or before the ownership of an establishment is transferred to another entity or individual. The facility must pass this inspection before a permit can be issued.

The application for a pre-opening inspection can be completed through our customer portal. Please review the Pre-Opening Inspection Application (PDF) to better understand the application requirements.

To get started, follow the steps below:

  1. Visit Login | Austin Public Health | My Health Department.
  2. Create an account online and log-in using your account information.
  3. Click Retail and Wholesale Food Applications -> Pre-Opening Application.
  4. Click Submit a New Pre-Opening Application.

  5. Follow the built-in instructions to fill out the application form (*required fields have red asterisk).

  6. Sign the document to acknowledge that the information is true and correct.

  7. Upload any pertinent files.

  8. Save draft (and edit later if needed).

  9. Click Submit.

  10. From the dashboard, click Past Submissions to view and edit the application, attach new files or add messages. 

A printable version of the pre-opening application is available here: Pre-Opening Inspection (PDF)

Permit Fees

All food establishment, mobile, and temporary event permits (all categories) are fee exempt for CFOs in the City of Austin. Other EHSD Fees may apply such as Plan Review, Late Fee, Re-inspection Fee, Mobile Fire Inspection Fee, etc.

To view the full EHSD permit fee schedule, visit Permit Fee Schedule | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov.

Charitable Feeding Organizations (CFO) Categories

All CFO’s are split into categories based on the level of food safety risk posed to the public. Upper-level CFO’s will undergo a routine inspection 1 to 3 times per year to ensure that safety standards are met and that staff/ volunteers are properly trained and credentialed.

A charitable feeding organization is designated as one of four categories in accordance with this section 10- 3- 100 (A) in the City of Austin (ONLY):

  • Category 1: A charitable feeding organization that distributes only shelf-stable food and uncut produce.
  • Category 2: A charitable feeding organization that distributes and may portion commercially prepared and packaged time-temperature-controlled-for-safety foods; or
  • Category 3: A charitable feeding organization that heats, and/or portions commercially prepared foods that are time-temperature controlled for safety for same-day service or delivery.
  • Category 4: A charitable feeding organization that cooks, cools and warms foods that are time-temperature controlled for safety for same-day or future service or delivery, including but not limited to community kitchens and soup kitchens.
CFO Self-guided Category Determination

Read the CFO categories below to determine what group you fall into:

CFO Category 1

  • Types of Food Allowed: Only prepackaged non-TCS* foods, beverages in closed containers, whole uncut fruits and vegetables, canned foods and packaged grains.
  • Limited Service: No open food handling. Storage of shelf stable foods and uncut produce only.
  • Requirements: Must register for a CFO Category 1, Follow the “Best Management Practices”, and no routine inspections are required. Complete the CFO General Application.

CFO Category 2

  • Types of Food Allowed: All pre-packaged TCS* foods allowed, minimal handling of open foods, and reproportioning of foods allowed.
  • Limited Service: Distributes and portions commercially prepared/ packaged TCS* Foods and requiring minimal handling of open food.
  • Requirements: Must register for a CFO Category 2, Follow the “Best Management Practices”, Food Handlers Certificate(s) and annual routine inspections are required. Complete the CFO General Application.

CFO Category 3

  • Types of Food Allowed: All TCS* foods allowed, preparing hot or cold TCS* foods onsite for same-day service only.
  • Limited Service: Heats and/or portions commercially prepared TCS* foods for same-day service.
  • Requirements: Must apply for a CFO Category 3 Food Permit. Fees waived. A pre-opening inspection and routine inspections are required, a registered Food Manager Certificate and Food Handlers Certificate(s) required. Complete the CFO General Application.

CFO Category 4

  • Types of Food Allowed: All TCS* foods allowed. Preparing hot or cold TCS* foods onsite allowed.
  • Full Service: A full-service community kitchen and soup kitchen that cooks, cools and warms foods that are TCS* foods for same-day, future or delivery service.
  • Requirements: Must apply for a CFO Category 4 Food Permit. Fees waived. A pre-opening inspection and routine inspections are required, a registered Food Manager Certificate and Food Handlers Certificate(S) required. Complete the CFO General Application.

*TCS = Time or Temperature Controlled for Safety Foods (i.e. meat, dairy, cut melons, cooked vegetables, etc.)

Contact Information

For questions, please contact our office or reach out to our ombudsman directly.

Ombudsman

Theresa Giudice, Environmental Health Supervisor:

Environmental Health Services Office Contact Information
Additional Contacts

Resources for Charitable Feeding Organizations

Guides
Laws and Policies
Virtual Information Sessions

Have Feedback?

To help us better serve our customers, please provide feedback through the online survey below. To address a concern or request a second opinion regarding an inspection result or complaint, contact us at 512-978-0300 between 7:45 am to 4:45 pm Monday - Friday.

--> Feedback Survey: Austin Public Health Environmental Health Services

To return to our Environmental Health Services Division page, visit Environmental Health Services | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov.