Students or recognized student organizations who wish to host an event on the SDSU or Imperial Valley campus in which food is served should complete the following steps at least two weeks prior to the event (or earlier for large events):

1. Review Student Life and Leadership’s Event Planning On-Campus page.
2. File the event application. Complete an Event Application System (EAS) request form, if one is required (see the Student Life and Leadership Event Planning On-Campus page). If an EAS request form is not required for your event, move on to Step 3.

3. Complete the Aztec Shops Catering Waiver/EHS Permit Application (i.e., Operator Permit Application)

   EHS will review the application and determine if:
   • The event is public or private
   • A Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit should be issued
   • The food is being obtained from an approved source
   • Additional paperwork is required
   • Additional food safety training is required

4. Food safety training is required when the event will have open or perishable food, or will be catered by a vendor. At least one person who has undergone food safety training should be present at the event the entire time. To learn more about the food safety training requirement, please see the Food Safety Training FAQ's.
5. Once all required materials have been submitted, reviewed, and approved, EHS will issue a Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit (if one is required), which should be displayed at the event.
6. Complete the Temporary Food Facility Self-Checklist to ensure the event is in compliance with all food safety requirements. 

If the event will have two or more food facility operators, an Organizer Permit Application must be submitted as well. 

SDSU affiliates (departments, faculty, staff, etc.) who wish to serve food at an event should follow the steps below. If the event will be held outdoors an EAS request form must be submitted, in addition to completion of the steps laid out below:

1. Complete the Aztec Shops Catering Waiver/Agreement & EHS Permit Application (i.e., Operator Permit Application). EHS will review the Operator Permit Application and determine if:
   • The event is public or private
   • A Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit should be issued
   • The food is being obtained from an approved source
   • Additional paperwork is required
   • Additional food safety training is required
2. Once all required materials have been submitted, reviewed, and approved, EHS will issue a Temporary Food Facility (TFF) Permit (if one is required), which should be displayed at the event.
3. Complete the Temporary Food Facility Self-Checklist to ensure the event is in compliance with all food safety requirements.

If the event will have two or more food facility operators, an Organizer Permit Application must be submitted as well. 

If you believe you may have become ill after visiting a food facility on campus or at any SDSU facilities (e.g., Snapdragon Stadium, SDSU Imperial Valley), please report it to EHS via the EHS Foodborne Illness Reporting Form. 

EHS reviews plans and specifications of new or existing food facilities prior to new construction, remodel, equipment replacement, new equipment, significant menu changes, etc. Construction, remodeling, or equipment replacements or additions cannot commence until EHS approval has been received. 

Please review the San Diego County Plan Review Requirement Checklist, which is used by SDSU EHS, and contact EHS before submitting plans.

Plans can be emailed to [email protected] for review and approval.