In compliance with the Food Standards Code all non-profit or community organisations must complete and submit the Notification of Non-Profit Organisation Food Event.
Under the Food Act 2006, a meal is defined as food that:
- is, or is intended to be, eaten by a person sitting at a table, or a fixed structure used as a table, with cutlery; and
- is of adequate substance as to be ordinarily accepted as a meal.
Examples of when a non-profit organisation may require a licence include:
- a restaurant, open daily to the public, operated by a sporting club to raise revenue for the club
- a non-profit organisation preparing and selling meals to homeless persons at a homeless persons shelter or hostel
- the preparation of meals by Meals on Wheels
- mobile food van (providing meals) at a sporting ground.
Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and if you still have queries about the type of product you are going to prepare and sell, contact Council to speak with an Environmental Health Officer.
Legal Requirements
Non-Profit Organisation Notification obligations:
Section 13 Food Act 2006 defines a food business as:
A business, enterprise or activity that involves—
(a) the handling of food intended for sale; or
(b) the sale of food;
regardless of whether the business, enterprise or activity concerned is of a commercial, charitable or community nature and whether it involves the handling or sale of food on 1 occasion only.
Section 8 Food Act 2006 states that the main purposes of the Act are:
- to ensure food for sale is safe and suitable for human consumption;
- to prevent misleading conduct relating to the sale of food;
- to apply the food standards code.
Regardless of whether your non-profit organisation is exempt from licensing requirements, non-profit organisations still have an obligation to comply with all other provisions of the Food Act 2006 and the Food Safety Standards to ensure that all food is safe and suitable for human consumption.
The following links will take you to information designed to assist non-profit groups meet their obligations under the legislation:
Training Requirements
Non-profit organisations also have an obligation under the Act to ensure that all persons undertaking food handling operations have appropriate skills and knowledge required to produce safe and suitable food. Refer to the Queensland Government 'Food Safety in Non-profit Organisations' guide for further information
There are a variety of options that a non-profit organisation may take to ensure that the food handlers have adequate skills and knowledge which may include:
- in-house and external training organisations offering food safety training
- online food safety training e.g. DoFoodSafely
- developing operating procedures that clearly outline the responsibilities of food handlers
- distribution of relevant documentation to food handlers, such as fact sheets.
Fee exemptions
Where a non-profit organisation is required to hold a licence with Council, a 50% discount of the Food Licence Fee may be granted upon receipt of a written application to the Director Planning & Environmental Services verifying their non-profit status.
Please refer to Council's Fees & Charges for further information.