Photo Credit: Scott Carey for Prevention Point Philadelphia

 

The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) celebrates the work of local food providers, who make an impact in the community every day.  

Our partner network, which includes approximately 70 meal providers, goes above and beyond all year long to end food insecurity in Philadelphia. This vital work is more critical than ever,  as the pandemic and its economic impact continue to affect vulnerable Philadelphians. 

OHS is here to support the work of meal providers and increase their impact. 

Here’s  a guide with everything you need in order to run a safe meal site that supports the Philadelphia communities:

Get an Outdoor Public Serving of Food Safety Permit:

In order to serve meals or packaged food outdoors, all organizations must have an Outdoor Public Serving of Food Safety permit (fifth section from the top of the webpage). 

The permit application is free and easy. One person from your organization must take a food safety course and be present at food distribution events.

There is a $15 online course available through ServSafe. After you complete the course, you can complete the permit application and follow the directions to receive your permit.

Reduce waste and litter when serving food:

Sadly, waste and litter are all too prevalent in Philadelphia. The mandatory Outdoor Public Serving of Food Safety permit requires groups to have a plan in place to remove any trash that accumulates during meal service. 

OHS has a flyer with advice on how you can reduce trash and litter during meal service and information about trash and litter mitigation strategies for meal providers. 

Waste and Litter Tips from OHS: 

  • You can partner with CLIP (Community Life Improvement Program), who will lend you cleaning materials and potentially pick up your bagged trash after your service in Kensington
  • Alternately, you can collect your trash and dispose of it at the closest sanitation center for free.
    • Sanitation Convenience Center at Northeast Philadelphia (8041 State Rd.)
    • Sanitation Convenience Center at Northwest Philadelphia (320 Domino Ln.)
    • Sanitation Convenience Center at Port Richmond (3901 Delaware Ave.)
    • Sanitation Convenience Center at Southwest Philadelphia (3033 S. 63rd St.)
    • Sanitation Convenience Center at Strawberry Mansion (2601 W. Glenwood Ave.)
    • Sanitation Convenience Center at West Philadelphia (5100 Grays Ave.)

Spread useful information with the Free Meals Flier and phila.gov/food: 

The OHS Food Services Unit updates our calendar of free meals on a quarterly basis for distribution and use. Please feel free to print and share:

If your organization is not represented on these calendars, please email your information to foodaccess@phila.gov. 

If your group is online, you can also share the City’s food finder at phila.gov/food. This is a centralized website for Philadelphians to find free food. Use this website to find locations, days, and hours of sites distributing free food and meals to Philadelphians in need. 

Share best practice via Environmental Health Services:

Environmental Health Services (EHS) educates meal providers on the process for obtaining the Outdoor Public Serving of Food Safety permit. If you know or encounter an organization that hasn’t received their permit yet, please call or put them in touch with EHS at 215-685-7495. EHS will provide on-site outreach and information for meal providers. 

Call 311 to address non-emergency problems:

If you see trash or litter violations, or other non-emergency issues while you are serving meals, please call 311. 

 

Learn more with the Rise Against Hunger Newsletter
The Rise Against Hunger newsletter offers monthly updates and resources from the City and a space for providers to submit content with organizational updates, resources needed, and resources offered.