REG 11.55.01 – Production, Service, and Sale of Food
Authority: Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration
History: First Issued: October 1, 2002. Last Revised: July 23, 2024.
Related Policies:
NCSU REG11.55.02 – Use of University Space
Additional References:
Wake County Health Department regulations for Fairs, Festivals, and Fundraisers
Contact Info: Director of NC State Dining (919-515-6347)
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 This regulation establishes controls for the production, service, and sale of food on the campus of North Carolina State University (NC State) and at university events. This regulation applies without regard to the source of the funds used to pay for the food and beverage services, except as explicitly noted.
2. AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION
2.1 Food served at NC State must meet all federal, state and local requirements. Food sold or served at NC State falls under the regulatory jurisdiction of the Wake County Health Department, including permit issuance, facility inspections and grading, and oversight of food handling processes. NC State Dining is the only campus department authorized to hold a permit for campus food service operations.
2.2 NC State Dining has the responsibility to uphold the quality and safety standards for university dining locations and events and to limit the risk associated with food provided to the NC State community and its guests. Food and beverages prepared and served by NC State Dining meet or exceed industry standards in food purchasing, receiving, storage, preparation, and holding, thus limiting the University’s liability.
2.3 NC State Dining is charged with monitoring and complying with local and state requirements for food service permits and appropriate alcohol controls for catering and special events in accordance with NC State regulations and state laws.
3. PRODUCTION, SERVICE, AND SALE OF FOOD
3.1 The intent of this regulation is to identify NC State Dining as the responsible NC State unit for food and beverages sold or provided at NC State or events hosted on the University’s core campus, as further described in this regulation. Royalties, commissions, or fees generated from the provision of food, food and beverage contracts, or managed services provided by NC State Dining will remain with NC State Dining operations.
3.2 Unless otherwise authorized by this regulation or by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, NC State Dining is the only department or unit authorized to contract with third parties for food and beverage sales on campus. NC State Dining is responsible for all aspects of these sales, including vending, concessions services including “pop ups,” food cart vendors, food truck vendors, and special event food and beverage sales opportunities. NC State Dining will maintain and administer any licensing, permitting, or contract administration for such services.
3.3 Non-university or government entities located in university-ownded or controlled buildings may provide food and beverage sales only with the express written consent from the Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. Such food service facilities must meet all applicable university, local, state, and federal requirements for operation.
3.4 NC State Dining administers the campus soft drink pouring rights contract. In support of that contract, all beverages sold by the university on campus will be those of the university pouring rights contracted partner, per the terms of the beverage contract(s).
4. FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES AS A FUNDRAISER
4.1 Food and beverages may be sold for fundraising efforts only with the approval from NC State Dining, Student Center Events, and Student Leadership and Engagement. Groups wishing to fundraise by selling any food or beverage must first seek written permission from Student Leadership and Engagement in advance, who will then consult with NC State Dining and Student Center Events as applicable. NC State Dining may restrict or prohibit food and beverage sales for fundraisers that do not meet proper food safety requirements, regulatory standards, or are in conflict with university operations.
4.2 All fundraisers involving the sale of food and beverages must also comply with NCSU REG11.55.02 – Use of University Space where applicable.
4.3 All fundraisers involving the sale of food and beverages must also comply with applicable Wake County Health Department regulations for Fairs, Festivals, and Fundraisers. (https://www.wakegov.com/departments-government/environmental-health-safety/fairs-festivals-and-fundraisers)
5. FOOD SAMPLING
Sampling of food and beverages at NC State is subject to approval and/or oversight by NC State Dining. NC State Dining reserves the right to restrict or prohibit food sampling that does not meet proper food safety requirements, regulatory standards, or are in conflict with university operations.
6. CATERING EVENTS
6.1 NC State Dining, operating as Rave! Catering, is the official catering department of NC State. In this capacity, NC State Dining is uniquely qualified to support the catering needs of the campus for a multitude of events, from small box lunches to seated service for hundreds, and is able to navigate event planning, service standards, and liability issues related to the service of food and beverage. To that end, it is recommended that groups contact NC State Dining to discuss the catering of an event.
6.2 Groups holding events at NC State involving the service of alcohol should contact NC State Dining to arrange this service. NC State Dining has agreements in place to allow service of alcohol by trained, licensed, and insured personnel at authorized university functions.
6.3 NC State Dining is the exclusive caterer for all events at the Talley Student Union, Witherspoon Student Center, Lonnie Poole Golf Course, and all NC State Dining locations unless otherwise authorized by NC State Dining.
6.4 Events at NC State involving the service of food and beverage must also be approved by the person responsible for the facility or location where the event is to be held. Any fees for use of such space will be coordinated with the responsible department or unit. In addition, all individuals or groups must comply with NCSU REG11.55.02 – Use of University Space where applicable.
6.5 Catering Exclusions:
The provisions of section 6 in this regulation shall not apply to the following:
6.5.1 Educational or instructional activities that are part of a course curriculum in a classroom setting (a completed Permit to Sell/Serve Food at NC State must be submitted); or
6.5.2 Food and beverages purchased or prepared by individuals for personal consumption not open to the public and not for re-sale. Such activities must not be paid for with university funds.
7. EXCLUSIONS
Nothing in this regulation shall affect the following, and the below locations are excluded from this regulation under the following provisions:
7.1 The Park Alumni Center as contracted by the Alumni Association for its food and beverage services. The Chancellor has the option to use the Park Alumni Center’s food and beverage contractor or NC State Dining as caterer for events held at the Park Alumni Center.
7.2 The University Club, per the normal operations of a private member-based recreation club.
7.3 Fraternity/Sorority houses may produce and serve food at their facilities per normal operation of the houses.
7.4 4-H Summer Camp Facilities may produce and serve food at their facilities per normal operation of the camps.
7.5 The sale of food and beverage concessions for NC State events held at the PNC Arena, or the same facility by any other name.
7.6 The sale of food and beverage concessions and catering events at Athletics venues in accordance with any third-party concessions contract negotiated via a competitive RFP process. Exclusivity of any third-party concessions contractor shall be per the concessions contract as granted by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration.
7.7 Non-break service catering of events and activities by the McKimmon Conference and Training Center as granted by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration.
7.8 The sale of food and beverages (including regularly scheduled or event-specific food trucks, “pop-ups,” food carts, and similar food and beverage services) as part of the Centennial Campus Placemaking program which are designed to increase amenity offerings and enhance the general vibrancy and sense of place on Centennial Campus. Notwithstanding the above, such activities shall not occur in locations closely proximate to campus dining venues, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. Locations deemed “closely proximate to campus dining” include the following, as may be modified by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration:
7.8.1 The Oval;
7.8.2 The parking lots and connector roads surrounding Wolf Ridge;
7.8.3 Initiative Drive between Blair Drive and Main Campus Drive;
7.8.4 Main Campus Drive between Research Drive and Campus Shore Drive;
7.8.5 Partners Way from Campus Shore Drive to Varsity Drive;
7.9 The sale of food and beverages at venues located in privately-owned or privately-leased buildings located on NC State’s Centennial Campus (notwithstanding the ownership/control of the underlying land and notwithstanding that NC State may lease space within such buildings).