Fair Inspections Transition

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will inspect and license food vendors at many fairs. However, some local health departments manage inspections.

Counties with Local Health Department Inspections

Local health departments will inspect and license food vendors at fairs in the following 38 counties in place of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:

Allegan, Baraga, Barry, Bay, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Gogebic, Gratiot, Houghton, Huron, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Lake, Livingston, Manistee, Mason, Marquette, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ontonagon, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw, Wayne, Wexford

Applicants for temporary food licenses at any fair in these counties during the 2025 fair season MUST apply for a license directly with the local health department with jurisdiction in that county. Contact information is provided below.

For a fair in these counties, do not contact or pay MDARD.

Transitory Food Units (TFUs) operating at these fairs are required to submit a notice of intent to operate (Word/PDF) to each local health department, as usual, and may request a paid TFU inspection from the local health department.

Directory of Michigan Local Health Departments: Michigan Association for Local Public Health