Food Truck or Vending Wagon

Food Truck/Vending Wagon/Food Stand Information

The City does require a city license for vending wagons or what are more commonly called food trucks or temporary food stands.  The City does not have an inspector on staff so Administration office staff works with both the Minnesota Department of Health and/or the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to make sure the food trucks or the temporary stand have been inspected and have been approved to serve in Minnesota.  Once the state license has been confirmed as valid there is a simple form and a fee of $25 per day or $100 for the year for a vending wagon license.  This license runs from January 1 to December 31st of each year.  The license application can be found on the business menu or by clicking on Vending Wagon Application.

Fire Inspection Required

The State Legislature added laws requiring fire inspections for food trucks or temporary food stands.  An inspection would be completed on food trucks or temporary food stands by the Fire Department prior to serving food.  A fire inspection can be scheduled by calling the Fire Department at (218) 773-2403, after the vending wagon application has been submitted.

Common Violations 

  • All mobile food preparation vehicles utilizing LP for cooking MUST have the LP fuel piping system and containers inspected, tagged/labeled by an approved agency within the last year.  
  • All mobile food preparation vehicles utilizing LP for cooking MUST have a listed LP Gas alarm present.
  • Cooking equipment involving solid fuels or vegetable or animal oils and fats shall be protected with a Class K portable extinguisher.  
  • Minimum of one 2-A:10-B:C fire extinguisher present for ordinary fires.
  • Fire extinguishers have had an annual inspection performed by a qualified individual or contractor. 
  • Cooking equipment that produces grease-laden vapors MUST be protected by a type I commercial kitchen exhaust hood.
  • Exhaust hoods MUST be equipped with a fire suppression system.  That system MUST be inspected and test by a qualified individual with in the past 6 months.  Inspection and testing tags/documentation MUST be present. 

See the full inspection checklist by clicking Food Truck Inspection Checklist.  Further question contact the East Grand Forks Fire Department at 218-773-2403.