Beginning July 1, 2019, Hennepin County Environmental Health will require any food truck or trailer (also known as a Mobile Food Unit (MFU)) to get a Hennepin license. Even if currently licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) or a city health department, the MFU must also get a license from Hennepin County if operating in the county's licensing.

This licensing does not apply to MFUs that have a Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) license—we will continue to honor those licenses. A Hennepin County MFU license will only be valid in the Hennepin County Environmental Health jurisdiction (see map below).

Requirements for MFUs:

• License must be original and posted on-site
• Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) required per the new Food Code requirements
• MN Food Code 4626.1860:  “the entire operation shall be accomplished from a single, self-contained unit” – setting up food tables or grills outside the unit is not allowed under the MFU license (additional licensing required).
   

An additional round for operations grants submissions has been added for the 2018-19 New Event Grant Program. Beginning April 1, 2019, applicants throughout the state are eligible to apply for the remaining $20,000 in grant funds for new events operations. Applications must be for events that begin after June 1, 2019, and end before May 1, 2021.

The new events grant program is designed to generate economic impact and increase media awareness of the state as an event destination by securing or creating new events in communities. Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements and point thresholds to be considered for this opportunity.

Eligible events must be new to Minnesota and open to the public. Applicants must demonstrate support from a local tourism organization, have available lodging capacity, and agree to generate other funding (minimally two-thirds of cash expenses).

The minimum grant request is $5,000, with a maximum of $20,000 per event. State funding is capped at one-third of total cash expenditures per event, and all awarded grants are conditional based on the successful negotiation and execution of contracts.

Applications must be for events that begin at least two months after the application submission date. Applications will be reviewed and awarded in the order they are received until all available funds are completely awarded. Only complete applications will be reviewed. The review committee will evaluate all eligible and complete applications shortly after submission, and selected grantee(s) will be notified within three weeks after the submission with their grant award status. Only one grant application is allowed per organization for this grant funding cycle.

Grant guidelines and applications can be found at mn.gov/tourism-industry/industry-opportunities/grant-programs/new-events.jsp.

Questions on the New Events Grant Program:  Email or call Lori Peterson  Lori.A.Peterson@state.mn.us 651-757-1876

• Spring and summer are just around the corner and with that wonderful weather comes farmers’ markets, fairs, and food trucks galore! In preparation for these events, Hennepin County Public Health will hold the 4th annual farmers’ market and special event information sessions this April.

   

  Learn about:

  • Farmers’ markets and short-term event food licensing (including the new mobile food unit licensing)
  • Click here to view a map showing cities that are regulated for food licensing by Hennepin County.
  • Cottage Food Law
  • Inspections, food safety, hand washing, sampling, and more
  • For more information and to RSVP, follow the survey link below

   

  When: Wednesday, April 3, 2019

  Location: Plymouth Library large meeting room

  15700 36th Ave N., Plymouth, MN 55446

   

  Agenda:

  • 9:30 - 10 a.m. -- Sign in
  • 10 - 10:45 -- Farmers’ market presentation with time for Q&A
  • 10:45 - 11 -- 15 minute break/sign in
  • 11 - 11:45 -- Special event presentation with time for Q&A 

Feel free to stay after to meet with inspectors and ask questions

RSVP not required, but encouraged: Click here to RSVP

 

Any questions can be directed to:

612-462-5543 or hannah.marschinke@hennepin.us

Hope you can join us!

Green To Go is the Minneapolis ordinance requiring reuseable, recyclable, or compostable packaging for food and beverages served for immediate consumption or to-go. Under an exemption, two products could be used even though they did not meet Green To Go rules. However, the exemption is ending. After April 22, 2019, these products can no longer be used: Polyethylene (PE) lined paper hot and cold cups and containers for liquids (soup, etc.), and Rigid polystyrene lids. The lids are marked with a #6 inside three chasing arrows.

The single serve coffee cup and #6 plastic lid (see photo) is an example of products that cannot be used after April 22, 2019 If you have Green To Go questions, contact the Health Department by calling 311 (612-673-3000) or emailing health@minneapolismn.gov. www.minneapolismn.gov/GreenToGo

Legislative Reception at the Minnesota State Capitol
Hosted by Visit Saint Paul

Meet and talk with elected officials and network with your industry peers during this special event at the Minnesota State Capitol. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and docent-led tours of the newly-remodeled state Capitol Building, provided by the Minnesota Historical Society. Complimentary shuttles will loop between the Capitol and InterContinental St. Paul Hotel over the course of the event.  
Monday, Feb 4, 5:00-6:30 pm.

MACVB Silent Auction Is Live
This highly-anticipated fan favorite is back! Bid on items such as Romance in Bloomington package that includes an overnight at the Radisson Blu; Shopping Spree at Edina's Galleria; Top Golf premier event and entertainment center package; and a $5,000 Ad Package from Midwest Living. Bid early, bid often – and you can start your bidding NOW! https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/macvb-2019-auction-6071

Full Conference Schedule is Now Available!
The full conference schedule, with session descriptions and speaker bios, is available online. Follow this link to customize your conference agenda.

Top 20 Food Code Changes for Businesses 

Minnesota’s new Food Code. What do you need to know?

Minnesota has a new Food Code as of January 1, 2019. 

Business owners, managers and food workers can learn about important changes in the Food Code by visiting the 2019 Major Food Code Changes webpage. The information is also listed in the flyer Top 20 Food Code changes for businesses.

The items are divided into two categories: Need to know and Need action. Each item has a brief description of the change.

More information about each item is in 20 Questions: The Proposed Major Changes of Concern to the Minnesota Food Code from the Minnesota Department of Health.

There are many more changes in the new Food Code than what are listed on the flyer. Find information about these items, or other items, at Minnesota Food Code (PDF).

Watch for information about meetings with Minneapolis Health Department staff on the new Food Code.

Contact your health inspector if you have questions about any of the Food Code changes.

Green To Go exemptions end April 22 The Green To Go ordinance requires an annual review of products exempted from the ordinance. The Minneapolis Health Department is holding a public meeting to discuss Green To Go product exemptions and to take public comments. Early in 2018, the Health Department made the determination the Green To Go product exemptions would end on April 22, 2019.  After April 22, 2019, these products will no longer be exempt: Polyethylene (PE) lined paper hot and cold cups and containers for liquids (soup, etc.). Rigid polystyrene lids for those containers. The containers are marked with a #6 inside three chasing arrows. The public meeting is:  Monday, January 28  9 to 11 a.m.  Eastside Neighborhood Services  1700 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 If you cannot attend the public meeting, email or mail your comments to the Health Department. Email comments to Daniel.Huff@minneapolismn.gov or mail them to:  Minneapolis Health Department  Attn: Dan Huff  250 South 4th Street, Room 510  Minneapolis, MN 55415 Submit comments by January 31, 2019. The Green To Go ordinance requires food and beverages prepared for immediate consumption and to-go must be placed in packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable. In addition, recyclable materials must be recycled. Compostable plastics must be composted.

Staple food changes

Do you own or manage a grocery store in Minneapolis?

On December 7, 2018, Minneapolis made changes to the staple foods ordinance (Title 10: Chapter 203 of the City code). This local law requires grocery stores to stock a certain amount and variety of staple foods, like fresh produce and whole grains. The changes will make it easier for stores to stock staple foods that match their customers’ cultures and food traditions.

What do you need to know?

There are now six staple food categories instead of ten. Eggs, cheese, whole grain cereal, and canned beans have been combined with other similar categories. Stores do not have to stock as many items as before and more items count as staple foods. In early 2019, stores will receive a letter with information about the changes. The Minneapolis Health Department will offer trainings and other support to help store owners comply with the updated ordinance.

Please visit the staple foods website for more information.

Contact Kristen Klingler at 612-673-2910 if you have questions.

Would you like to join one of FEI’s top three performing chapters, known for its commitment to innovation, creativity, membership growth, and Diversity and Inclusion? This chapter, located in the Twin Cities, is already renowned for its strong board and dedicated volunteers, but it strives to continuously grow and evolve. While growth can emerge from a variety of sources, FEI, Twin Cities Chapter is intentionally blazing forward and upsetting the status quo by becoming the first chapter to hire an Executive Director.

As the primary external face and voice of the organization, the Executive Director will lead with passion and ambition to promote FEI, Twin Cities Chapter’s mission of advancing the success of senior-level financial executives, their organizations, and the profession.

With the support of a strong and stable Board of Directors, the Executive Director will serve as a visionary leader who will drive the strategy and change required to stay current within the finance association space. The Executive Director will be responsible for the development and successful implementation of a comprehensive member recruitment plan, as well as retention and engagement strategies, to ensure a robust and invigorated membership base.

Working across diverse stakeholder groups, the Executive Director will conduct outreach to current and prospective members, strategic sponsors, and the community to create greater brand awareness. The Executive Director will collaborate with volunteers and external partners to develop and implement well run and relevant programs, securing speakers aligned with the organizations vision and strategic plan.

Although a remote-office position, there will be signification travel and attendance required for strategic sponsor engagement and FEI events, both in the Twin Cities Metro area and nationally. Therefore, the ideal candidate must be a local resident of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area.

For more information or to send your credentials, please email info@cohentaylor.com

All inquiries will remain confidential. Please note that relocation is not part of this role.

Additional details about this position can also be found by downloading the Position Profile here

Plymouth Library 4/11/18 10am-12pm

RSVP requested

For the third year in a row the Hennepin County health department will be offering a meeting specifically for farmers’ market managers before the busy summer season. We will again be offering a separate meeting directly following the farmers’ market meeting for coordinators/event holders/vendors of special “short-term” events within the county’s jurisdiction. As market managers or event coordinators/special event organizers/vendors, we would like to invite you to these meetings. Please forward this email to others if needed. All are welcome, even those that are thinking of becoming involved in farmers’ markets or special events – this would be a great informational session.

During the farmers’ market meeting we will go over the Cottage Foods exemption, sampling, approved and non-approved licenses, inspections, talk about common issues seen at markets, touch on basic food safety and answer any questions that come up.

During the special events meeting, we will discuss stand set-up, licensing, inspections, touch on common issues seen by inspectors at special events, and answer any questions.

Everyone is welcome to attend one or both meetings. The information provided at these meetings will be specific to areas that Hennepin County Public Health Department inspects (not Minneapolis, Bloomington/Richfield, Edina, Minnetonka/Wayzata or Brooklyn Park).

The meetings this year will be located at Plymouth Library (15700 36th Ave N, Plymouth, MN 55446 – large conference room). The farmers’ market meeting will go from 10-10:45am. We will take a short break and then go right into the special event meeting from 11-11:45 with the option to stick around afterwards if you have further questions or would like to meet with inspectors.

Attached you will find the agenda. We hope you will be able to attend or send someone from your organization to attend in your place. We would like to provide a local health department relationship for your specific questions and operation. It’s our hope that as the managers/coordinators/event organizers/vendors, you are fully aware of the requirements in place and work with us to ensure safe food is being offered at events. We hope this meeting provides a platform for open communication and partnership between the health department and event holders/vendors/managers.

As space is limited, please RSVP by Monday 4/9/18 by taking this short survey. When you click on the link to RSVP, feel free to include any questions you have regarding the meetings or topics covered.

City Pages is seeking a Marketing Coordinator. Candidates should be self-motivated go-getters with excellent verbal and written communication skills. The Marketing Coordinator will assist the Marketing Department with all aspects of marketing and promotional activities, and will be expected to represent City Pages throughout the community in a professional manner. The Marketing Coordinator manages all online promotions including social media efforts, email newsletter list growth, as well as the Street Marketing Team and their promotional efforts. This position is responsible for assisting the Marketing Director with the planning and execution of City Pages signature events and company outings as well as client involvement in promotions and execution of sponsor agreements. Some weekend/evening work is required for special projects and events.

Successful applicants should be self motivated, organized, able to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment, outgoing and personable, and possess a strong work ethic. Previous marketing/social media/event experience is required and experience with street team marketing and activation a plus. Must possess personal computer skills including MS Office, Excel and PowerPoint. Requires dependable transportation, a valid Minnesota driver's license/proof of insurance, as well as successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.

Click Here for more information and to apply.