FOOD REQUIREMENTS FOR A TEMPORARY SALES LICENSE (TSL)
WHAT AMOUNT OF FOOD MUST I PROVIDE?
TWO: ● If you don’t provide distilled spirits at the event you must provide at all times and in all areas where alcohol
service is available at least two different substantial food items.
THREE: ● If you provide distilled spirits at the event you must provide at all times and in all areas where alcohol service
is available at least three different substantial food items.
WHAT IS A SUBSTANTIAL FOOD ITEM?
This is a food item that is typically served as a main course or entrée. Some examples are fi sh, steak, chicken, pasta,
pizza, and sandwiches. Side dishes, appetizer items, dessert items, and snack items such as popcorn, peanuts, chips and
crackers do not qualify as substantial food items.
WHAT DOES “DIFFERENT” MEAN?
“Different” means substantial food items that the OLCC determines differ in their primary ingredients or method of
preparation. For example, a turkey sandwich differs from a salami sandwich, a beef burger differs from a turkey burger,
and fried chicken differs from baked chicken. Different sizes of the same item are not considered different.
IS THERE AN EXCEPTION TO PROVIDING THE TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT SUBSTANTIAL FOOD ITEMS?
The OLCC must determine that the clearly dominant emphasis is food service at all times in the area where alcohol
service is available in order for you to provide only one substantial food item if you are not providing distilled spirits or
one or two different substantial food items if you are providing distilled spirits. The OLCC will work with you to make this
determination prior to approving your application.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PROVIDE FOOD SERVICE “AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL AREAS WHERE ALCOHOL
SERVICE IS AVAILABLE”?
Patrons must be able to obtain food service inside the special event licensed area. You may use either of the following two
methods to provide food service:
Within all areas where alcohol service is available, have the minimum required food items available for patrons at all ●
times; or
Within all areas where alcohol service is available, have a menu of the minimum required food items (plus any other ●
items you may choose to include) available for patrons at all times and be able to provide the food items in the area
if a patron chooses to order food. The food items could be kept at a location other than the area where the alcohol
is served; however, you must be able to provide the food items to the patron in the area where alcohol service is
available.
IS PROVIDING TASTINGS OF ALCOHOL CONSIDERED PROVIDING ALCOHOL SERVICE?
Yes, providing tastings of alcohol is considered providing alcohol service; therefore, the food requirements must be met.
CAN I USE FOOD PROVIDED BY A CONTRACTOR OR CONTRACTORS TO MEET THE FOOD REQUIREMENT?
Yes, the food service may be provided by someone other than you; however, even if food service is provided by a
contractor, you are fully responsible for compliance with the food requirements. You may sell or serve alcohol only when
food service that meets the requirement is provided to patrons at all times and in all areas where alcohol service is
available.
WHO CAN THE CONTRACT FOR THE FOOD SERVICE BE WITH?
The contract can be between:
You (the TSL licensee) and the food service contractor; or ●
The organizer of the event and the food service contractor. ●
DOES THE FOOD SERVICE CONTRACT NEED TO BE IN WRITING?
No, the food service contract does not need to be in writing; however, you may sell or serve alcohol only when food
service that meets the requirement is provided to patrons at all times and in all areas where alcohol service is available.
1-800-452-OLCC (6522)
www.oregon.gov/OLCC
(rev. 07/2011)
TSL Instructions - Page 2 of 2