Register your charity to prepare and serve food to those in need

See if you qualify for relaxed permitting requirements to become a Limited Service Charitable Feeding Operation (LSCFO).

What to know

Give food to people for charitable reasons, without any commercial intent.
Are considered by law to be different from regular food facilities, like restaurants.

In California, charitable food operations are not considered regular food establishments. This is according to the Retail Food Code.

Working with only certain types of safe food
Following specific guidelines, especially if you're not using a full commercial kitchen
Follow best management practices from the health department

You must fill our a form to register your organization as a Limited Service Charitable Feeding Operation (LSCFO).

Send your completed form and payment to:

Environmental Health BranchFood Safety Program
49 South Van Ness Avenue
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103

Environmental Health BranchFood Safety Program
49 South Van Ness Avenue
Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103

Give food to people for charitable reasons, without any commercial intent.
Are considered by law to be different from regular food facilities, like restaurants.

In California, charitable food operations are not considered regular food establishments. This is according to the Retail Food Code.

Working with only certain types of safe food
Following specific guidelines, especially if you're not using a full commercial kitchen
Follow best management practices from the health department