Food Service and Retail

Food travels a long way from the farm to your table. Restaurants, school lunch, community meals programs, food trucks, and caterers are among the food service establishments, while grocery stores, delis and supermarkets are retail establishments who are often the last stop for food before reaching the consumer. A commitment to food safety starts with information and training regarding sanitation, personal hygiene, how food makes people sick, safe preparation, cooking, cooling, holding and reheating, etc.

customer viewing seafood options

Questions and Resources

Below you will find common questions and some useful links to help you get the answers you need. Reach out to Dr. Indu Upadhyaya (indu.upadhyaya@uconn.edu) for more information or topics that aren't covered below.

How do I find regulations relating to foodservice/retail?

How do I open or manage a restaurant, commercial kitchen, or catering business?

How do I become an itinerant vendor or run a food truck?

How do I open or manage a bakery?

How do I open or manage a deli or food store?

How do I open or manage a butcher shop?

How do I become a Qualified Food Operator?

What do I need to know to run a community food event, food booth at a fair or other temporary event?

How do I write an HACCP plan for food service?

How do we write an HACCP plan for our school lunch program?

How do I get information on sanitation?

How do I make and sell canned or processed items in my commercial kitchen, retail or foodservice operation?