FOOD & DRINK STALL GUIDELINES
Bump In
You’ll find bump in times for each market under the ‘Market’ tile in the Members Area.
The venue doesn’t allow any vehicles to drive into the building at any time. However, we do offer early bump-in time slots to stalls selling hot food from marquee stalls. If you’re eligible for this, we will contact you via email prior to the market. If you have not received an email 7 days prior to the market and think you’re eligible for an early bump-in time slot, please contact us at admin@handmadecanberra.com.au to discuss.
Food Business Registration
If you are a food retailer, it is your responsibility to make sure you have the permits required to trade. The ACT Government Health Protection Service requires those selling medium- and high-risk foods at market stalls to have an ACT Market Stall Food Business Registration, even if you are registered in your home state or territory. Some exemptions do apply, so please contact the Health Protection Service to determine if you need a registration.
You also need to comply with food safety requirements such as having a food safety supervisor and hand washing station if required. Please visit the ACT Government’s page on food safety for food stalls for more information. Please note Handmade is not a ‘declared event’ but the guidelines are the same.
If you sell low-risk foods (typically pre-packed, shelf-stable food), you will need the relevant food business registration certificate from your state of origin and have it available at the market for review if asked.
Please upload all permits/certificates to your business profile at least two weeks before the market. File path: Update your details > business information > Food Registration Certificate > add file > update profile.
ACT Health conduct random checks of the market and it is your responsibility to have the correct food business registration.
If you have any further questions you can contact the Health Protection Service to discuss the registration and food safety on (02) 5124 9700 or email hps@act.gov.au
Food Samples
If you put samples out on your stall you are required to have a handwashing station behind your stall for staff.  A jerry can with a tap, soap, a receptacle to catch the water, and paper towel will suffice. If you’re looking for something more substantial, you can find portable wash basins like this one. This is a requirement of the ACT Government Health Protection Service.
Additionally, if your samples are a high-risk food, you may be required to have an ACT Market Stall Food Business Registration, even if your packaged products are low-risk. For example, if you sell packaged hot chocolate mix (which would be considered low-risk) but you put out samples of hot chocolate made with milk, you may require a registration. Please contact the Health Protection Service to confirm.
Cool Rooms
You are welcome to bring your own coolroom, however you must notify us in advance so we can ensure there is enough space and power connections. There is a dedicated area outside Coorong where you can park and connect your own cool room. If this space fills up, there is a second space across the road from Coorong. If you’re hiring or bringing a fridge or cool room, remember to book power in advance through Barlens. Barlens also offer cool room and indoor fridge hire, and the venue EPIC also has a small number of cool rooms for hire.
Cooking on site
You are permitted to cook inside but can’t create too much smoke. If you need to bring a bqq/charcoal grill, it will have to be located outside to eliminate the smoke inside. If you do this, you must have a cover over the bqq/grill (see point 2 below). If this is the case, please let us know on your application form so we can position your stall near an exit door. Please ensure you order the correct amount of power required for everything on your stall!
Soft Drinks
Food stalls are not permitted to sell commercial soft drinks, however you may sell bottled water (and we highly recommend you do!). Only stalls approved to sell other types of drinks may do so.
LIQUOR VENDORS
Coorong Pavilion is licensed to sell liquor. Handmade provides RSA licensed guards within the area to enforce that during the market no opened alcohol leaves the area. In addition, all your staff at the market must be RSA certified. The ACT recognises RSA certificates issued by registered training organisations in other states.
You need to apply for your own ACT Commercial Permit with ACT Liquor & Gaming before each market. Unless licensees hold an ACT general license with a special condition that allows them to trade at events, all vendors will require an ACT Commercial Liquor Permit to trade at the Handmade Market. Your liquor permit must be displayed on your stand during the event. You will need to display an offence for under 18 to purchase, possess or consume liquor sign on your stall at all times through out the market.
Prior to the event Handmade will email you a letter of support with the following information included:
Event Name: Handmade Market Canberra
Vendor: (Your Business Name)
Event dates:
Venue: Coorong
Mobile:
Your Address:
Times trading: Event Hours
Description: (what you are selling.) i.e: Liquor sampling on the premises, take-home sales (Liquor in a closed container for consumption off the event premises).
Once you receive your letter of support from us, you can apply for your permit for our event. Please upload your application receipt AND your permit certificates to your business profile before the event. File path: Update your details > business information > Food Registration Certificate > add file > update profile.
We ask that you upload your receipt once you have applied for your permit, so we can follow up with Access Canberra Liquor to make sure the permits are approved. Access Canberra don’t approve any permits until all applications for the event have been submitted.
Please note: even though we have a license in place as event organisers, your own permit needs to state that you are licensed for: Liquor sampling on the premises and take-home sales (Liquor in a closed container for consumption off the event premises).
Alcohol Samples
If you put liquor samples out on your stall you are required to have a handwashing station behind your stall set up for all staff, as detailed above. This is an ACT Government Health Protection Service requirement.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Power
Each stall that needs power is required to order their own power. You can order power directly through Barlens using the order form in our resource area. Please note each electrical device and cord you will be using needs to be tagged and tested. Each stall using power will have their cords and appliances checked prior to the event opening by both Barlens and the venue, EPIC, and if they are not tagged and tested you won’t be able to use them during the event.
Rubbish Removal
EPIC provides bins outside for paper & cardboard, recycling, food waste etc. Please make sure that you put the right rubbish in the right bin OR take it away with you. No other bins should be used by stallholders (including the bins inside the venue).
Access to Water
There is access to water in the kitchen located off the Coorong Pavilion. Please make sure you clean up any mess made in this area.
Origin of Products
It is a requirement of the market that you must make each of your own products. We understand that it’s not always possible to make each component of your product, if you’re sourcing your ingredients elsewhere, the idea, recipe and concept must be yours. We reserve the right to accept or reject products on a case by case basis.
Country of Origin Labelling for Seafood
We are now in the transition period to mandatory country of origin labelling for seafood, which comes into effect 1 July 2026. This applies to market stalls, so if you sell any ready-to-eat products containing seafood, the country of origin must be on your menu or signage – somewhere a customer will clearly see it before ordering. Find out more here.
SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAN
Single Use Plastic Ban as of 1 July 2021, supplying or providing any of these prohibited single-use plastic products is banned in the ACT. The list includes, single-use plastic stirrers, cutlery and expanded polystyrene foam takeaway food and beverage containers, such as cups, plates, bowls and clamshell containers. For more information visit single use plastics FAQ’s. If you have a specific query send a photo with specifications of the product to sustainability@nra.net.au and they will advise you.