In the last 2 months, a number of Parishes have organized public fundraising events. One of the aims of our unofficial community initiative, Parish Connections, is to share wisdom. In this, my first year of volunteering within the Diocese of Victoria — by serving on the OLOR Core fundraising committee (to re-build Our Lady of the Rosary Parish), as a Vincentian, and as a member of CWL — I am actively seeking knowledge about local norms and practises around events. My latest focus includes investigating policies for the safe serving of food or alcohol, for event liability and for requirements to legally offer gaming (50/50, Silent Auctions, License Raffles – using online platforms and/or in person) at events.
Why am I doing this? Well, I have to thank Melissa, St Joseph the Worker Parish in Victoria for sending me on this path. Their CWL was hosting a League Development Day and needed information on FoodSafe requirements. Although I was one of two people who took the “in-person” course on compliance, Melissa (Admin Assistant to the Pastor) phoned directly and got valuable clarification along with a helpful document called “Planning Guide for Temporary Events (SEP) and Food Markets” (there’s a link to the document below).
From Melissa: “I also spoke with the Environmental Public Health Office. Here are the guidelines for food service at the parish, straight from the Public Health Inspector.”
Melissa shared her contact name with me, in case I had further questions, and helped me better understand the difference between private and public food handling requirements.
You may already know all this, but I didn’t and promised to share.
Here’s the planning guide:
When Melissa spoke with a Public Health Inspector from the Environmental Public Health Office, they summarized the guidelines for food service at a parish: for temporary events that are public gatherings, such as a garage sale or bazaar, if there is food vending (where food is prepared, like on a BBQ), then we do need approval from Island Health.
However, for non-public (aka private) gatherings, we do not require approval from Island Health, nor are the food handlers required to have a FOODSAFE certificate. Certificates are only required when the food is intended for public consumption.
Events which are for members of the community and invited guests are considered private gatherings, and they are not covered by VIHA. This includes pancake breakfasts, potlucks, bake sales, coffee fellowships, senior lunches, and receptions for funerals and baptisms, even where fees are collected.
But note: regarding our food establishment permit, we are no longer required to have one because most of our events are private and temporary permits would be obtained for the occasional public gathering. However, in order to rent out the kitchen, it must be inspected by the Public Health Office every year.
….if you have any further questions about the requirements or a specific event, please feel free to contact Rachel at the Public Health Office: Gateway_office@islandhealth.ca or 250-519-3401.
Pamela
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