POTLUCKS AND BAKE SALES

Potlucks and Bake Sale Definitions 

Potlucks: Potluck food items can ONLY be served to the members of the church, club or organization holding the event and cannot be offered to the general public.  If the food items are consumed during or after the event, no license is required.  

Bake Sales: NON-potentially hazardous foods, usually baked goods prepared at the organizations facility or in the home of members.  Sale of the baked goods is used for fundraising purposes (for the sponsoring organization only).  No license is required.  

Potentially Hazardous Foods: High protein foods including any food that consists in whole or in part of milk or milk products, shell eggs, meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, edible crustacean, baked or boiled potatoes, tofu and other soy-protein foods, plant foods that have been heat-treated, raw seed sprouts or synthetic ingredients.

Recommendations for Potluck Meals

If your church, club or organization is planning an activity which includes serving a meal to the public, the Health Department has the following requirements:

1. All meals served to the public, must be prepared and served from a licensed kitchen.  Exception: potlucks and bake sales, which have different requirements.   
2. To determine whether or not a temporary license will be required for your event, contact the Health Department (734-240-7900).  A fee is required for licensing. Call the Health Department for a copy of the "Guidelines for Temporary Food Service Establishments" or click on link  Temporary Food Establishment Operations Checklist.

Recommendations

1. Hot Foods are to be maintained at an internal temperature of 135º F or higher.  Reheated Foods must reach 165º F  or higher and then reduced to 135º F for holding or serving.  Cold Foods shall be maintained at 41º F or colder during service or storage.  Refer to specific temperature list under "Food Handling Checklist".  
2. Basic Equipment: Stab thermometer (for checking food temperatures), disposable gloves (to protect ready to eat foods from bare hand contact, to cover cut or scraped hands, long or painted nails), chlorine bleach (for sanitizing food contact surfaces – use tablespoon per gallon of warm water) and hair restraints or ball caps for all staff working at the event.  
3. Maintain List: Names, addresses and phone number of each person who prepared an item for the event, including what they prepared.  Food should be transported to the event in a clean vehicle with proper temperature control.  Post a sign indicating that these items are "Home Baked Goods".  
4. Food Handlers: can not be ill, have an "asymptomatic" illness, or open cuts or wounds.  Handlers should not be permitted to use tobacco, eat or drink while handling foods.  Proper hand washing should be strictly enforced after restroom use, smoking, drinking, eating, or handling of garbage or dirty dishes.  

Bake Sales    

1. All baked goods should be individually wrapped in plastic, foil or waxed paper.  
2. Maintain List: Name, address and phone number of each person who prepared an item for the event, along with what they prepared.  Post a sign indicating that these items are "Home Baked Goods".  
3. Food Handlers: Do not allow anyone who is ill or has an "asymptomatic" illness, open cut or wound to prepare or serve food for the bake sale.  
4. Enforce a strict hand washing policy for food  handlers.  Wash hands after restroom use, smoking, eating, or drinking and before returning to food handling duties.  Provide disposable gloves for persons with minor cuts or abrasions, long  and painted nails.  Change gloves between tasks or as often as hands would require washing.  

Food Handling Checklist  

• Stab Thermometer: Check hot & cold temperatures.
• Chlorine Bleach or Equivalent: Sanitization of food preparation surfaces.
• Hand Washing Facilities: soap and disposable towels.
• Disposable Gloves: Change between tasks or as often as needed.
• Designate: "Contact Person".
• List: Persons, addresses, phone numbers and food item contributed to the event.
• Post Sign: "Home Baked Goods".
• Discuss with Food Handlers: Temperature requirements and hand washing policy.
• Designate: Smoking, eating and drinking area in a non-food prep area for food handlers.
• Contact: Health Department at least 10 days prior to event for licensing information.
• Hair nets or ball caps: Worn by all food handlers.
• Internal Cooking Temperatures:  

Poultry & Stuffed Meats 165º F / 15 sec.
Ground Beef & Pork 155º F / 15 sec.
Pork, Ham, Sausage, Bacon 155º F / 15 sec.
Beef Roasts 140º F / 12 min.
Reheating Foods 165º F / 15 sec. Within 2 hours
Holding Hot Foods 135º F or above    

Safe Temperatures for Food Storage keep hot foods hot (135º F and above) and cold foods cold (41º F and below).   

For any additional information about food handling, preparation and service, contact: 

Monroe County Health Department
Environmental Health Division
Between the hours of 8:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Monday through Friday
(734) 240-7900