Fundraisers and Sausage Sizzles

You don't need a food registration certificate to sell food at a sausage sizzle or other fundraiser, such as a school fair, as long as you operate fewer than 20 times a year. However, you do need to inform us of your event.

Complete and submit this form to advise Council of your fundraiser event.

If you are selling food as part of a fundraiser more than 20 times a year, you will need to apply for a food registration certificate under the Food Act 2014.

Safe sausage sizzles

Make sure your sausage sizzle is safe for public consumption by providing only fresh, good-quality and ideally pre-cooked sausages.

Before your event:

• buy sausages from a reliable source, as close to the event as possible.
• store sausages in a clean fridge.
• do all the preparation, including chopping onions and buttering bread, in a clean environment.
• transport and store the sausages in chilly bins with ice packs.
• always keep food in clean covered containers to protect it from contamination by dust, animals, insects and people.
• ensure your gas barbeque is securely fixed with all valves and pipework adequately protected, and a suitable screen/barrier to prvent any member of public from accidentally burning themselves on the barbecue grill.

During your event:

• clearly display the name of the organisation running the sausage sizzle.
• have at least two people, preferably three, running the stall. One person should handle only the money.
• food handlers must wear clean clothing and an apron, and their hair must be tied back or under a cap.
• wash hands and replace gloves often.
• do not prepare any other meat, including chicken.
• use suitable utensils, such as tongs, for handling food. Do not touch the food with your hands.
• use different tongs for cooked and uncooked food.
• cook the sausages properly, so they are hot in the centre.
• serve food on single-serve serviettes or paper plates.
• do not leave large quantities of sausages in chilly bins for long periods. Use a fridge where possible

School fairs and larger fundraising events

School fairs usually have a number of food stalls, ranging from registered food trucks and stalls to whānau making food at home for the event. The fair or event organiser who is responsible for notifying Council of the event and ensuring all stalls have the correct registration (if required).

Market organisers can apply for your market licence here.

Charity stalls selling food must ensure their produce is adequately wrapped and clearly labelled stating what the food is, with the name and address of the person who produced the food. All stalls must have a high standard of hygiene in accordance with the Food Hygiene Regulations.

When displaying your food:

• make sure all foods are wrapped, covered or sealed in containers at all times of transport and display, protected from pests, dust and contaminants.
• keep food off the ground, out of the sun and away from animals.
• store perishable foods (such as those with meat, eggs or dairy products in them) in a cold environment below 4°c. If using a chilly bin, also use ice or slika pads.
• hot dishes must be kept above 65°c. They should be heated to boiling point and then stored hot and covered, with a minimal time between preparation and display. 

When preparing and cooking food on site:

• keep food preparation at your stall to a minimum.
• regularly clean the display area and ensure all food preparation and sale areas are clean.
• supply washing facilities and protection from contamination.
• wash hands thoroughly before handling food, in between handling raw and cooked food, after handling rubbish, and after all personal hygiene. 
• cook all meats and meat products thoroughly until the juices run clear.

Where can you sell food?

You can sell food as part of a fundraiser on any private property, as long as it is in a zone that permits commercial activities, and you have the owner's permission (i.e. supermarket car parks or school grounds).

If you want to trade in a public space (e.g. on a road reserve, or in a park or sports field), you'll need to apply to Council for a trading licence. We generally won't allow sales on a public road or footpath.

Apply to trade in a public place here.

Please contact us on 06 857 8060 if you have any questions about selling food at your next fundraiser or sausage sizzle.