ACC Mobile Food Vending Program
Mobile Food Vending Permits
It is important to note that you do not need a Mobile Food Vending Permit to trade as part
of an event, such as a market or Fork on the Road.
The Mobile Food Vending (MFV) permit is for on-street and Park Lands trading at times
outside of events.
Before you start a Mobile Food Vending Business

Contact Enterprise Adelaide
(08) 8203 7816
s.mattiazzo@adelaidecitycouncil.com
They can assist with:
· How to set up your business
· Business planning advice and on-going mentoring
· Information resources
· Regulations

Contact Environmental Health Services
(08) 8203 7405
health@adelaidecitycouncil.com
They can assist with:
· Food Safety related information
· Copies of the relevant Food Safety standards and Food Act 2001

Contact your local Council (where your vehicle is housed, or where most of your
food is prepared)
You need to speak with them about:
·
·
Your intentions to run a food business
Arrange appropriate disposal of your trade waste. Depending on what food
you are preparing, the methods of disposal will differ from business to
business.
Your local Council can let you know what options are available to you. If your
application is successful, you will be required to have proof of notification before a
permit can be issued to you.
You may also contact SA Water to discuss your local Council’s advice regarding
waste disposal:
John Griffith
SA Water
(08) 7424 1336
john.griffith@sawater.com.au
1
Application Guide
To apply for a Mobile Food Vending Permit, see:
 Mobile Food Vending Guidelines
 Application Information
 Application Form
A maximum of 40 permits will be issued from 1 August 2014. Applications are open from 1 –
31 August 2014.
Proposed locations/Days and times of trade
This provides us with a guide of where and when you would prefer to trade. This does not
preclude you from trading in other locations or at other times.
Frequency of trading
In renewing mobile food vending permits, preference is given to vendors who use their
permits regularly - but this can be a minimum of once per month. There is no "correct"
answer here, the panel will be looking to select a variety of vendors in terms of times, days
and frequency of trading.
Parking Permit for towing/essential vehicle
One parking permit can be provided per mobile food vending business for a towing vehicle
or an essential vehicle for stalls/smaller vendors. The registration number for this vehicle
must be provided and a fee is payable. Parking for towing/essential vehicles is only
permitted in parking bays of 1 hour or longer and is only permitted for a single vehicle
during operating times. This includes reasonable time to set up and pack down. Your permit
must be displayed on your dash board at all times to assist Council Parking Officers. Should
the appropriate permit not be displayed, you may receive expiation.
Note: As a courtesy to your fellow mobile traders, avoid parking your towing/essential
vehicle in popular trading spaces.
One Page Business Plan
Examples of business plans can be found at www.business.gov.au
Keep in mind to reference the selection criteria when completing your Business Plan.
Preference will be given to:
 applicants offering an unique experience or product to customers.
 applicants presenting a well-designed, creative, artistic setup.
 applicants using sustainable packaging and processes, including the use of South
Australian produce where possible.
 innovative start-up businesses.
 renewing vendors who utilise their permit regularly. (this does not mean you must
trade every day or even every week - Refer “Frequency of Trading” above.)
The Business Plan is your opportunity to tell us how your business relates to these points.
2
Proof of notification
You will be required to obtain the following two types of proof of notification from your
local Council:
1. Proof of food business
You must register your food business with the Council where your vehicle is housed,
or for stall based businesses, where the majority of food preparation takes place.
Different Councils provide different documentation for this and you will need to
enquire with your relevant Council.
The proof of notification may be an email, letter or certificate from the Council or a
copy of the submitted notification form.
2. Proof of trade waste approval
Your local Council will be able to advise what method is appropriate for you to
dispose of your trade waste.
Depending on your situation, you may be required to apply for a Discharge Permit.
All information can be found on the SA Water website:
http://www.sawater.com.au/sawater/yourbusiness/tradewaste/
Once you have determined the best disposal method, and your local Council has
agreed to this, they are required to provide you with written proof of notification.
Again, the proof of notification may be an email, letter or certificate from the
Council or a copy of the submitted notification form.
Public & Product Liability Insurance
If your application is successful, you will be required to purchase Public and Product Liability
insurance to the value of $20,000,000, with Adelaide City Council (ACC) listed as an
Interested Party. A copy of the Certificate of Currency will need to be provided to ACC
before permit can be issued.
Any relevant food safety qualifications
We encourage you to list any training you have undertaken or experience you have relating
to food safety. For more information about courses and opportunities for training available,
speak to our Environmental Health Services Team.
Environmental Sustainability
Below are some considerations for your business in terms of environmental sustainability.
To what extent does your business consider any of the following?
3

Sustainable Travel
Do you have low or zero pollution and emissions?

Energy usage
Do you have low or zero noise and air pollution from power sources?
How do you minimise energy use and demonstrate energy efficiency?

Carbon Footprint
Do you reduce carbon emissions and/or purchase carbon offsets?

Utilising local suppliers
Do you source local, organic and/or fair trade produce? Do you use current season
produce?

Reduce Reuse Recycle
Do you use recycled materials where possible in your business design and
implementation?
Do you encourage re-use of containers, where possible and appropriate?
Do you use minimal packaging?

Compostable Containers
Do you use compostable food serving containers supported by appropriate organics
waste recycling?

Minimise Waste and Encourage Recycling
Front of House
Do you use a 3-bin recycling system (general waste to landfill, container recycling
and organics – food and compostable containers)?
Back of House
How do you dispose of your trade waste?
Eg dedicated cardboard and soft plastic recycling, cooking oil recovery, food organics
recycling etc

Water Management
Do you use initiatives to save water and minimise water pollution?

Awareness
Do you provide messaging on environmental sustainability issues?

Innovation
Are you demonstrating innovation in food vending sustainability?
For more information on environmental sustainability, please contact Peter Nattrass,
Sustainability Advisor
(08) 8203 7444
p.nattrass@adelaidecitycouncil.com
Food SA can also offer information on options for using sustainable packaging, processes
and locally sourced food.
Please contact Mary Ferguson
(08) 8303 9435
Mary@foodsa.com.au
4
Permit Fees
Permit Type
OPEN
PERMIT
10 DAY
PERMIT
Permit details
Can trade on any day
throughout the 6 month permit
period.
(minimum 30 vendors)
Can trade for any 10 days within
the 6 month period.
If a vendor uses their first 10
days they can purchase another
10 day permit.
(maximum 10 vendors)
Summer Period
Winter Period
$1,000
$666
1st 10 day permit
$500
1st 10 day permit
$333
2nd 10 day permit
$350
2nd 10 day permit
$233
3rd becomes Open
Permit
$150
3rd becomes Open
Permit
$100
A minimum of 30 Open Permits will be issued in each 6 month period. A maximum of 10 10Day Permits will be issued in each 6 month period.
On your Application Form, you will apply for EITHER the summer period or winter period.
Not both. Please see the Guidelines for renewal dates for the next period.
In the “Total Payable” section, this will be the sum of your chosen permit cost and your
towing/essential vehicle permit cost, if you have selected to have one.
For your permit type, please indicate your second preference if your first is unavailable.
For example, if you select the 10 Day Permit option but the maximum of 10 have been
issued, is your second preference to have the Open Permit (if available) or no permit at all?
Vendors approved for the 10 Day permits can apply for a 2nd and 3rd 10 Day Permit by
contacting the Mobile Food Vending Coordinator. The purchase of a 3rd 10 Day Permit
equates to the vendor having the conditions of an Open Permit.
Returning Your Application Form
Applications can either be submitted online via our online form, or in hard copy.
Completed hard copy application forms with relevant attachments can be submitted by post
to:
City Activation
Adelaide City Council
GPO Box 2252
Adelaide SA 5001
Or in person to Adelaide City Council:
Customer Centre
25 Pirie Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Or scanned and emailed to SplashAdelaide@adelaidecitycouncil.com.
Application forms must be received by Adelaide City Council by 11.59pm on the due date.
5
MFV Program History
Mobile Food Vendors are popping up in various locations around Adelaide adding vibrancy
to the City. The project allows mobile carts, trucks and vans offering food and drinks to set
up in temporary locations to cater to city residents, workers and visitors. Take your pick
from a delicious variety of mobile food ranging from gourmet cuisine and nutritious juices to
your daily shot of coffee.
The mobile food vending pilot program was launched in 2011 as part of Splash Adelaide.
Splash Adelaide is an initiative of Adelaide City Council and supported by the South
Australian Government. The program aims to increase the vibrancy of Adelaide by
supporting the community and businesses to trial initiatives, activities and events. 52 trial
permits were provided as part of the pilot program and applications closed in October 2012.
Following the success of this program, Adelaide City Council has developed guidelines for the
continuation of mobile food vending beyond the pilot. These guidelines were developed in
consultation with mobile food vendors, local businesses and the general public and were
endorsed by Council on 14 May 2013. The results of the public consultation are available to
view on the Your Say Adelaide website.
Following the completion of the pilot in July, 2013, the mobile food vending program no
longer sits under Splash Adelaide.
FAQs
What are the permit dates?
Summer Permits – valid 1 October to 31 March
Winter Permits – valid 1 April to 30 September
What are the permit application and renewal dates?
Active permit holders will have the opportunity to renew their permit every six months, a
maximum of twice before being required to reapply in general applications.




Renewal for Summer permits (from 2014): 15 July - 31 July
Renewal for Winter permits (from 2014): 15 January - 31 January
New applications for Summer permits (from 2014): 1 August - 31 August
New applications for Winter permits (from 2014): 1 February - 28/29 February
Do I need the permit to trade as part of an event?
No. Trading as part of an event can be coordinated directly with event organisers without
the need for a mobile food vending permit.
Can I trade in Rundle Mall?
No, trading in Rundle Mall is separate from the ACC MFV Program, it is an arrangement
between the mobile food vendor and Rundle Mall Management Authority (RMMA). If you
would like to discuss opportunities for trade in the Mall, please contact RMMA on (08) 8203
7200.
What are the selection criteria?
6
Successful applicants will be chosen by a selection panel. The panel will be looking to select
40 vendors with a variety of:
 Product offering
 Times and days of trade
 Locations
 Frequency of trading
In addition to this, preference will be given to:
 renewing vendors who utilise their permit regularly.
 applicants offering an unique experience or product to customers.
 applicants presenting a well-designed, creative, artistic setup.
 applicants using sustainable packaging and processes, including the use of South
Australian produce where possible.
 innovative start-up businesses.
Where can mobile food vendors trade?
Mobile food vending is permitted in those streets and footpaths where there is adequate
footpath space to accommodate it, while not compromising pedestrian access, safety or
other street activities.
There are specific guidelines outlining where vendors can trade. These can be found in the
guidelines on page 4-6.
Does Adelaide City Council reserve spaces for vendors?
No, Council does not reserve locations for mobile food vendors or coordinate locations for
vendors.
Do vendors have to tell Council where they operate?
Yes, a mobile app called ‘Street Eats’ is used by all vendors to ‘check-in’ every time they
trade on their permit.
Vendors are required to check-in on the mobile app to show where and when they are
trading. If a vendor does not have access to a smart phone, they must notify Council of their
locations by other means prior to operating.
Where can I park my towing vehicle?
Parking for towing vehicles may be permitted for a fee upon application in a legitimate
parking space that is for 1 hour or more. The permit for towing vehicles must be clearly
displayed and is valid only whilst the vendor is operating (including set up and pack down).
What health guidelines do vendors have to follow?
Permit holders are required to comply with all health and food safety aspects of their entire
operation as contained in the Food Act 2001 and Food Safety Standards.
As part of the application process, mobile food vendors must include Proof of Notification of
a food business from the local Council where the majority of food preparation and food
handling occurs.
The Adelaide City Council Environmental Health Services Team conducts regular and random
inspections.
7
What happens if vendors don’t comply with the guidelines?
Council may conduct unannounced inspections of vendors to determine compliance with the
conditions of permit, Local Government Act, the Food Act 2001 and Food Safety Standards.
A Mobile Food Vending Permit may be cancelled or amended if the permit holder fails to
comply with the permit conditions outlined in the guidelines.
Can vendors automatically renew their permits?
Permit holders will have the opportunity to renew their permit every six months, a
maximum of twice before being required to reapply in general applications.
What about the current vendors?
The operating guidelines for current mobile food vendors under the Splash Adelaide pilot
program can be found on the ACC website.
All current mobile food vendors will need to reapply for the new ‘non-trial’ permits.
If I don’t get a mobile food vending permit are there any other opportunities?
Yes. The mobile food vending permit is not required for you to trade as part of an event.
Trading can still occur as a temporary food stall at events or markets as arranged directly
with the event or market organisers.
Adelaide City Council is looking into creating a database of vendors to provide to people
seeking mobile food vendors for catering. Mobile Food Vending applicants will be contacted
if this goes ahead.
Please contact the Customer Centre with enquiries:
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/council/contact-us/
(08) 8203 7203
8