Community Groups

A community group is defined as a not-for-profit organisation or persons undertaking a food handling activity solely for the purpose of raising funds for charitable purposes, or for a not-for-profit body where the event is:

  • no longer than 2 consecutive days; and

  • the majority of food handlers are volunteers.

 

If you are a community or not-for-profit organisation planning on selling food as a fundraiser, there are a few things that you need to know:

  • You must ensure that the food you sell is safe to consume;

  • Your food activities must be registered or notified with your local council (or the local council where your activity is going to take place) via the Department of Health FoodTrader online portal;

  • Your registering council will determine the class your food activities fall within, it could be class 2, 3A, 3, or 4; and

  • You must comply with the specific responsibilities and obligations for your classification.

 

All volunteers are strongly encouraged to undertake some form of food safety training. DoFoodSafely is a free online course for new and experienced food handlers. Upon completion, a certificate with the participants name is made available for download.

 

Food activity classification

Community groups are classified as either Class 2, 3A, 3 or 4, just like for-profit food businesses.

Visit the business classification page for information.

 

Additional resources

 

Still unsure of what you need?

Download our Food Business Information Guide(PDF, 4MB), or contact us via email at environmentalhealth@hrcc.vic.gov.au or by phone on 5382 9777 for further information.

 

 

 

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