Food, Lodging & Institutions

Food, lodging, and institution sanitation help reduce the level of disease in the community by working with establishments to achieve active managerial control over risk factors that increase the likelihood of illness transmission. Caldwell County Environmental Health Specialists are authorized agents of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services that routinely inspect all establishments.

  • Hotels, motels, inns
  • Restaurants, food and drink stands
  • Summer camps
  • Meat markets
  • Schools and educational institutions, hospitals, daycare centers, jail
  • Nursing and rest homes, residential care
  • Hot dog carts, mobile food units

Inspections include the establishment's level of cleanliness, food handling practices, and proper food protection during preparation, storage, and transportation. After inspection, the establishment receives a certified card with a Grade of A, B, or C. Each establishment is required to display its Grade Card in a prominent location for the public to see. Visit the online inspection portal!

New and temporary dining establishments in Caldwell County must have applicable licenses and permits. Inspectors will work closely with owners and management to ensure the quality and safety of food service to the public.

For information regarding Safe Plates Training, please contact the Cooperative Extension Service.

Permit for a New Restaurant

  1. Basic Requirements for Food Service Establishments (PDF)
  2. Compliance Visit Form (PDF)
  3. New Food Service Application (PDF)

Permit for a Temporary Food Service License

In order to sell food at a festival in Caldwell County, you may need a temporary food establishment permit. Temporary Food Establishment (TFE) permits are issued to food and drink vendors that operate in conjunction with a fair, festival, or other special events for a period of 21 days or less. For example, the Caldwell County Fair, Blackberry Festival, and Butterfly Festival are events that qualify for a TFE permit. A TFE permit is good only for a specific event and expires at the end of the event.

Resources for Food Service Managers

  1. 3 Compartment Sink Job Aid (PDF)
  2. Cooking for Groups (PDF)
  3. Date Mark Flow Chart (PDF)
  4. Date Marking Training (PDF)
  5. Employee Health Policy (PDF)
  6. Final Cook Temperatures (PDF)
  7. Handwashing Sign with Instructions (PDF)
  8. Hygiene Handbook (PDF)
  9. Safe Storage in the Refrigerator (PDF)

Laws & Rules

  1. 15A NCAC 18A 2600 (PDF)
  2. NC Food Code Manual (PDF)

Mobile Food Units & Push Carts

  1. Basic Requirements for Food Service Establishments (PDF)
  2. Commissary Form (PDF)
  3. MFU and Push Cart Rules (PDF)
  4. MFU Flow Chart (PDF)
  5. New Food Service Application (PDF)
  6. Requirements for Mobile Food Units and Push Cart (PDF)

Food Establishment Disaster Preparedness

  1. Establishments Ice Machine Cleaning after Boil Notice (PDF)
  2. Food Establishment Water Emergencies (PDF)
  3. Food Service Establishments Disaster Preparedness (PDF)
  4. Food Service Establishments Disaster Preparedness Dos and Don'ts (PDF)
  5. Food Service Establishments Mitigating Loss (PDF)