Environmental Health

Food Safety

When you eat, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting sick. That's why we work to make sure your food is safe to eat.

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Food Service Applications

Interested in starting up a restaurant, food truck, catering business, or other food service establishment in Whitman County? See below for information on start up, regulations or requirements.

Program Applications

To begin the process, submit an online Food Service Establishment Application.

Food Service Establishment Application

If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and email the Food Service Establishment Application to EH@whitmancounty.net.

To begin the process, submit an online Catering Plan Application.

Catering Plan Application

If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and email the Catering Plan Application to EH@whitmancounty.net.

To begin the process, submit an online Mobile Unit Application.

Mobile Unit Application

If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and email the Mobile Unit Application to EH@whitmancounty.net.

To begin the process, submit an online ​Commissary Application.

​Commissary Application

If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and email the Commissary Application to EH@whitmancounty.net.

To begin the process, submit an online ​​Donated Food Distributing Organizations Application.

Donated Food Distributing Organizations Application

If wishing to complete the form by hand, download, print and email the Donated Food Distributing Organizations Application to EH@whitmancounty.net.

Temporary Food Events

A Temporary Food Establishment operates at a fixed location, with a fixed menu for no more than 21 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration such as Lentil Festival, Sprint Boat Races, County Fair, weekend event, etc; OR no more than 3 days per week in conjunction with an approved, recurring, organized event. Examples of TFE’s: food vendors at fairs, community events, craft shows, sporting events, fundraisers by community organizations, food samplers and demonstrators at approved events.

Program Applications

To begin the process, submit an online Temporary Food Event Application.

Temporary Food Event Application

Program Applications

To begin the process, submit an online Temporary Food Event Exemption Application.

Temporary Food Event Exemption Application

Inspection Scores

Inspection scores are determined by the health inspector at the time of inspection. Using the Washington State Department of Health inspection form, Health Code violations are worth a certain number of points, ranging from 2 points - 25 points. Violations are also categorized by color: Red points are high-risk, or critical violations; Blue points are violations that are considered low risk. Combined points are the sum of red and blue points. A zero point total indicates no health violations were cited during the inspection. Based on Whitman County Enforcement Procedure, a failing score is 40 or more red points, or 50 or more combined points.

Food Safety Certifications

All food service employees in Whitman County are required to hold a current Washington State Food Handler Permit. This helps to ensure that all employees are equipped with the Food Safety knowledge they need to help protect the public.

These ANSI Certified Food Protection courses are required for each food establishment to have at minimum one employee obtain.

Licensed Vendors

Click below to view the vendors currently licensed as approved kitchens, mobile units, caterers and community vendors.

If you are interested in becoming licensed, see the Food Service Application section of this page.

Information last updated on