Florida retail food permits start with what you sell

Selling food in Florida starts with the food and the setup, not just the business name.

FDACS issues retail food permits for many places that sell directly to customers. Examples include grocery stores, coffee shops, bakeries, meat markets, seafood markets, juice bars, water vending, and some mobile units that sell only packaged food.

DBPR has a separate hotels and restaurants lane for many public food service and lodging businesses. So a Miami coffee cart, Orlando food truck, Tampa restaurant, home baker, grocery shelf, market booth, and rental breakfast plan can land in different places.

A small seller should start with a plain list. What food is sold? Who prepares it? Where is it stored? How is it packed? Does it need cooling or heating? Do customers pick it up, or is it sold wholesale?

Then ask the right agency before opening. Local zoning, fire review, water, sewer, lease rules, and sales tax can still sit beside the food permit.