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Interested in being a vendor for Ottumwa RAGBRAI LI? Great! More than 20,000 visitors will be spending the night in Ottumwa on Thursday, July 25th, 2024, and they will be on the lookout for good food, cold drinks, and fun finds!
Thank you for expressing interest as a food or non-food vendor for Ottumwa RAGBRAI. RABGRAI LI will be coming to Ottumwa on Thursday, July 25th, 2024. You can download the vendor information packet/application HERE. We look forward to having you join us in the RAGBRAI experience!
Any organization or business wishing to be a food/non-food vendor for Ottumwa RAGBRAI celebration must first submit the “Food/Non-Food List & Electrical Request”, along with the applicable vendor fee, electric fee (if needed), clean-up deposit, and proof of insurance.
These items are due no later than May 31. Applications received after this date are not ensured of approval and are subject to a $250 late fee. Application and fees can be mailed to: Shea Greiner, 217 E. Main St., Ottumwa, IA 52501
If your application is approved, you must then contact Rosa Haukedahl at the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals to determine if you need a temporary county license. Her contact information is: rosa.haukedahl@dia.iowa.gov or (515)-971-1957.
*Food vendors are responsible for applying for and obtaining their license. (Event organizers do not issue food licenses to sell food.)
Contact Shea Greiner at shea@ottumwaiowa.com
THE PROCESS:
The Food Committee recommends that every non-profit and for-profit organization take enough time planning for this event. The groups that plan well and have something creative will do very well. It is recommended that you plan to sell all the food you prepare. Any food left over will cut into your profits.
As we plan for this event to be a winning situation for the whole community, please consider purchasing your supplies locally.
According to RAGBRAI officials, most of the riders and other participants will plan where they are going to eat the night before they arrive in Ottumwa. Therefore, all approved vendors will be listed on the food vendor map, on the website map, and in the official publicity tabloid as well as have shuttle access.
Current Food Establishments (in/on current premises): May also be included on the map, on the website map and on tabloid map and receive shuttle access for a fee of $300.
INSURANCE:
All vendors will be required to show proof of liability insurance. A copy of the
insurance policy must be on file with Ottrumwa RAGBRAI.
FOOD SAFETY MEETING:
There will be a required Food Safety meeting for all Food Vendors, to ensure the safety of the public. Once you have been accepted as an official vendor you will be notified of the date and time.
FEES:
There will be 2 separate fees required of food vendors.
Items 1 & 2 are due to Ottumwa RAGBRAI 2024.
Item 3 is Iowa Department of Inspections (details below)
1 & 2. RAGBRAI Permit and Electrical Service Request: Ottumwa RAGBRAI has established the
following fee schedule, which has been adopted by Ottumwa City Council as an Ordinance
A. Commercial Vendor- (Food/Non-Food) $600
B. Non-profit Vendor $300
C. Second Vendor Space $300
D. Outdoor Service (Current Ottumwa Businesses) $200
E. REQUIRED CLEAN UP DEPOSIT (REFUNDABLE) $100
F. Electric Fee (if applicable) $100
Spaces will be 10 x 10 each additional 10’ may be purchased at $100
TOTAL FEE SUBMITTED (may be one check) Payable to “Ottumwa RAGBRAI”
Mail to: Shea Greiner, 217 E. Main St., Ottumwa, IA 52501
3. Health Department Permit or License:
If your application is approved, you must then contact Rosa Haukedahl at the Iowa Department of
Inspections and Appeals to determine if you need a temporary county license. Her contact
information is: rosa.haukedahl@dia.iowa.gov or (515)-971-1957.
• Food Vendors will pay their fees separately for a Health Department permit/license
apply https://dia.iowa.gov/food/temp-food-stands-and-events
• Anything other than pre-packaged ready to eat foods, including canned and bottled beverages
from a food processor, will require a Temporary County license.
• The cost for the Temporary County license is $50.
• Each food vendor must have a RABGRAI permit hanging visibly within the booth.
RAGBRAI permits and temporary county license will be handed out at the mandatory Food and
Safety meeting, date and time to be announced.
Booth assignments will be handed out at the Food Safety Meeting
BOOTH SET UP:
Booth set up may begin as early as 7:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 25th. Booths MUST BE SET UP and
ready for inspection by 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 25th. Inspections by the Inspections and
Appeals Department will begin at 10:00 A.M. Food Vendors will not have a specific inspection time
assigned to them. You must be ready for inspection.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
RAGBRAI participants will start arriving before noon. All vendors must be set up by 10 A.M. This will
allow enough time for inspections and ensure that Ottumwa is ready to take care of the early
participants. You should plan on being very busy between 4:00 –7:30 P.M. This is when most
participants eat their evening meal. RAGBRAI officials recommend that food vendors plan on being
open later to meet the needs of the participants. It is your decision on how long you plan to be open
for business. Activities will be occurring until midnight.
ICE:
Will be readily available to purchase in the vendor area downtown. When setting up, please make a
note of where the ice is located.
PRICING:
It will be up to each group to set their own prices. Our committee will be happy to assist you in
making recommendations. All registered RAGBRAI participants will have a wristband. We
recommend that a lesser price be charged to RAGBRAI participants with a wristband.
CLEAN UP:
We require that all food vendors clean up their areas before they leave. You must provide your own
trash can at your booth. We recommend that each vendor schedule a cleanup crew to help clean up
their area. All vendors must have their booths cleaned and moved by 12:30 A.M. Friday July 26th,
unless prior arrangements are made with the committee.
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