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  • Programs
  • Charitable Feeding Organizations

Charitable Feeding Organizations

In May 2021, Austin City Council voted to provide relief to charitable feeding organizations (CFOs). Austin Water's Industrial Waste program, Austin Public Health and Austin Development Services are working together to carry out this assistance.

Under Austin City Code §10-3-100, a 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 a religious organization meeting the definition of "church" under Internal Revenue Code §170(b)(1)(A)(i). CFOs solicit, warehouse and redistribute edible food to people who feed those in need within the City of Austin. Examples include food pantries, central food banks, soup kitchens, community kitchens and nonprofit food delivery services.

Austin Water's Industrial Waste assistance for registered CFOs includes coordinated plan review, waiver of wastewater surcharge and discharge permit fees, and possible waiver of grease trap or grease interceptor requirements. Standard monthly water and wastewater charges still apply.

For more information, please contact CFO Program Manager Elizabeth Coy at 512-972-1079 or elizabeth.coy@austintexas.gov.

CFO Categories

The City of Austin recognizes four CFO categories based on food handling type and service level. To determine which category your CFO falls under, use the self-guided Category Determination worksheet in the Austin Public Health CFO Application (PDF). Industrial Waste staff can also help determine the appropriate category based on your specific food type and handling.

Category 1 — Shelf-Stable Food and Uncut Produce Only

What it covers: Distribution of shelf-stable food and uncut produce only. No open food handling. Examples include pre-packaged non-time or temperature controlled for safety (TCS) foods and whole fruits and vegetables.

Required documents:

Submit all documents by email to elizabeth.coy@austintexas.gov.

Benefits:

  • Exempt from wastewater surcharge and discharge permit fees
  • Exempt from grease trap or grease interceptor installation requirement

Category 2 — Pre-Packaged TCS Foods

What it covers: Distribution and portioning of commercially prepared and packaged time or temperature controlled for safety (TCS) foods. Minimal open food handling. Examples include all pre-packaged TCS foods.

Required documents: Same as Category 1 above.

Submit all documents by email to elizabeth.coy@austintexas.gov.

Benefits:

  • Exempt from wastewater surcharge and discharge permit fees
  • Exempt from grease trap or grease interceptor installation requirement

Category 3 — Heating and Portioning Commercially Prepared TCS Foods

What it covers: Heating and/or portioning commercially prepared TCS foods for same-day service or delivery. Examples include all TCS foods.

Required documents:

For existing facilities:

For new facilities or new uses, follow Austin Development Services Commercial Plan Review standards and guidelines.

Submit all documents to Austin Development Services Commercial Plan Review.

Benefits:

  • Exempt from wastewater surcharge and discharge permit fees
  • Grease trap or grease interceptor requirement assessed on a case-by-case basis

Note on GIIVR Form: Whether a Category 3 CFO needs to submit a Grease Interceptor Installation Variance Request Form depends on food handling and service type. Contact elizabeth.coy@austintexas.gov or 512-972-1079 to discuss your operations before submitting.

Category 4 — Full Food Preparation

What it covers: Cooking, cooling or warming TCS foods for same-day or future service or delivery. Includes soup kitchens and community kitchens. Full-service food preparation, cooking, packaging and distribution.

Required documents: Same as Category 3 above.

Submit all documents to Austin Development Services Commercial Plan Review.

Benefits:

  • Exempt from wastewater surcharge and discharge permit fees
  • Grease trap or grease interceptor requirement determined through plan review
Registration Notes

The following applies to all CFO categories:

  • Registration with Industrial Waste is a one-time process unless locations are added or food type or service changes.
  • If food type or service changes after approval, the owner or operator must submit an updated written description of food practices on organization letterhead. Industrial Waste staff will reassess whether a grease trap or grease interceptor is needed.
  • CFOs that receive a grease trap or grease interceptor waiver but subsequently cause a sanitary sewer overflow or issues in the wastewater collection system will be required to install a grease trap or grease interceptor.
  • Standard monthly water and wastewater charges apply regardless of CFO status.
  • Industrial Waste Approval Letters are stored in a cloud-based system — printed copies are not required.
  • For CFOs with multiple locations, submit one Grease Interceptor Installation Variance Request Form for all locations. List each address in the written description of food practices. Indicate a primary address (not a PO Box) and reference the address list on the GIIVR Form's "Business Address" line.
Written Description of Food Practices

The required written description must be on organization letterhead and include the CFO location or locations, a brief description of food types handled (for example, whole or cut produce, non-perishable foods, pre-packaged foods in the original unopened container) and the service type (for example, storage and distribution of non-perishable foods, serving pre-made meals with disposable trays and cutlery, or portioning commercially prepared TCS foods). The description must be completed by someone involved in the day-to-day operations of the CFO.

Key Terms
  • Austin Water Industrial Waste — Austin Water's Industrial Waste program helps regulate any waste that is not normal domestic waste. Industrial Waste maintains records of organizations handling food to ensure that wastewater discharged into the City's sanitary sewer system and treatment plants meets federal and state regulations.
  • Grease Interceptor Installation Variance Request (GIIVR) Form — Used to request an exemption from the grease trap or grease interceptor requirement. Applies to certain facilities and CFO categories, including those serving pre-packaged foods in the original unopened container, providing drinks only or cutting fruit.
  • Grease trap or grease interceptor — A device designed to separate fats, oils and grease along with food preparation solids from wastewater before it enters the City's sanitary sewer system. The requirement under Chapter 15-10 of the Austin City Code may be waived for qualifying CFOs.
  • Wastewater discharge permit fees — A permit is required to discharge industrial wastewater into the City's collection system. Permits are automatically renewed each December. CFOs registered with Industrial Waste are exempt from these fees.
  • Wastewater surcharge fees — Fees charged to businesses whose wastewater exceeds normal standards, to help cover the cost of treatment as required by federal regulations. The fee is based on wastewater sampling results and appears on the monthly utility bill. CFOs registered with Industrial Waste are exempt from these fees.
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