Editor’s Note: Fairfield Chamber of Commerce has arranged for a small group meeting with business owners and the Health Inspector the second week of June.  Call today at 903-389-5792 for details.  Or, stay tuned to The “Times” for updates.

 

“It was never about the alcohol,” says Fairfield business owner, Mary Small.  “It was about serving the food.”

Owner of Accessories, Etc. of Fairfield, Small was one of six downtown retailers who had planned serving snacks and drinks during a shop local event on the square last month.

Those plans changed after an inquiry from a State Health Inspector out of Waco, Texas.

Fairfield Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Director, Brenda Pate, was the first to be contacted by Doug Hartfield of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).  She passed the information along to the affected business owners.

According to the documentation, each business would be required to have a valid, Temporary Food Establishment Permit in order to serve food during such an event.  Cost would be $50 for each event, or $200 for multiple events in a two-year period.

“We want to follow the laws,” says Small, who relates visiting the DSHS website for information, prior to the Saturday event.

However, Small found things to be a little more complicated than she anticipated.  “Cheese is different from other things.  Soup is different; it has to be at certain temperatures.”

After reading that the permit fees were non-refundable, Small decided she needed more information before applying.  She chose not to serve any food or drink during the May 19th event.

Still, it was a good weekend for the shop.  “I did have good participation that day,” says Small.

The downtown retailers have had a great response during previous events, such as the Elf Adventure during the Christmas season and the Spring Swirl in April.

Small says she and other business owners would like to continue offering these activities for their customers.  “We will do whatever we have to,” she says.

With that in mind, the Chamber is in the process of contacting DSHS to meet with Fairfield business owners in order to educate them on applying for the correct permits.  If you would like to be included, contact the Chamber office at 903-389-5792.

For information on food permits and other health related issues, visit online a www.dshs.state.tx.us