Food Protection Program

Working together for a healthier tomorrow!

Craig P. Umbel, LEHS

Director of Environmental Health

Room 102
Phone: 301-334-7760
FAX: 301-334-7769
E-Mail: environmental.health
@maryland.gov

Hours of Operation:
Mon. - Fri. 8:00am – 4:30pm

Food Protection Program

The Garrett County Environmental Health Services Food Program is enforced through the Maryland Code of Regulations that apply to food service facilities, COMAR 10.15.03. Approximately 300 food service facilities are licensed each year in Garrett County. Of these, a food service facility is determined to have a High, Moderate, or Low priority rating. High priority facilities are inspected three times a year. Moderate priority facilities are inspected twice a year. Low priority facilities are inspected once each year.

Garrett County hosts a wide variety of temporary events involving multiple food vendors throughout the year. Environmental Health Services issues approximately 125 temporary food permits for these events each year. These events provide additional food safety educational opportunities. Food safety training is provided for industry professionals, volunteer members of non-profit organizations, or individually tailored sessions depending on the level of expertise when requested.

Code of Maryland Food Service Facility Regulations

Temporary Events

A temporary food service facility is one operating for no more than 14 days at a fixed location in conjunction with a fair, fundraising event, public exhibition, or similar public event. A public event is a planned gathering that is open to the public which is advertised with fliers, newspaper ads, banners, or internet websites as being open to the general public regardless of whether a fee is charged or not.

A food service permit application should be completed as far in advance of the event as possible and submitted to Environmental Health Services of the Garrett County Health Department, 1025 Memorial Drive, Oakland, MD 21550. The application should provide the name and daytime phone number of a person that Environmental Health Services can contact.

Temporary Food Permit Application: https://garretthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2019-Temporary-Food-Application.pdf

Guidelines for Temporary Food Service: https://garretthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022-Temp-Food-Guidelines.pdf

Guidelines for Cottage Food / Bake Sales: https://garretthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MDH-Cottage-Food-Businesses_Revised_6-2021_FINAL.pdf

Farmer’s Market and Cottage Food Business

A farmer’s market is a place where the following are offered:

Raw agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, and grains directly from a farm;
Eggs offered in compliance with Maryland Department of Agriculture regulations for the sale of eggs at Farmer’s Markets.
Foods Manufactured on a farm by a licensed food processor in accordance with COMAR 10.15.04.19 (possessing a Producer Mobile Farmer’s Market License);
Commercially processed non-potentially hazardous pre-packaged and bottled products; and
Cottage foods produced in accordance with COMAR 10.15.03.27.

Reference Links:
Maryland Egg Law
Maryland Cottage Food Business

Guidelines for Cottage Food / Bake Sales: https://garretthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MDH-Cottage-Food-Businesses_Revised_6-2021_FINAL.pdf

Opening/ Constructing a Food Service Facility

Prior to constructing a new food service facility or remodeling an existing food service facility, plans must be submitted to Environmental Health Services for review.

Planning Guide: https://garretthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2018-Planning-Guide.pdf

Retail Establishment Plan Review: https://garretthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2018-Retail-Establishment-Plan-Review.pdf

Mobile Food Service Facility Guidelines: https://garretthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2019-Mobile-Food-Truck-Guidelines-2019.11.12.pdf

Mobile Food Review Application Packet: https://garretthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2019-Maryland-Mobile-Food-Establishment-Plan-Review-Application-Packet.pdf