Food Truck Commissary Requirements:
What Every Mobile Operator Needs to Know
What Is a Commissary and Why Do Food Trucks Need One?
A commissary is an approved, licensed commercial kitchen where mobile food operators prep food, store inventory, fill water tanks, clean equipment, and dispose of waste.
Most jurisdictions require food trucks to operate from an approved commissary because trucks lack the complete infrastructure for safe food preparation in isolation (such as infinite water capacity, grease traps, and handling large-scale dishwashing).
What Inspectors Actually Check
Current commissary agreement
Must be signed, dated, and unexpired. Must specific list services available (water, trash, storage).
Active commissary visit log
The #1 citation gap. If you have an agreement but a blank log, inspectors assume you are prepping at home illegally.
Proof of services used
Some cities require you to document exactly what you did (e.g., "Full Prep" vs "Water Only") each visit.
Commissary license/permit
Your commissary itself must be currently permitted. If they lose their permit, your truck's permit is invalid.
What Must Be in Your Commissary Agreement
- Full legal name and address of commissary
- Name of commissary operator/owner
- Specific list of services available to you
- Frequency of access (daily, per-operation, etc.)
- Signatures of both parties
- Date signed + expiration/renewal date
The "Ghost Visit" Problem (Most Common Violation)
Having an agreement but a blank or sparse visit log is the single most common commissary citation. Inspectors view a blank log not as "forgetfulness," but as evidence of illegal home preparation.
The Solution:
- Log every visit AT the commissary, not retroactively.
- If you didn't visit on a service day, document why (e.g., "Truck in Storage", "Closed").
- "I forgot to log it" is not an acceptable explanation during an inspection.
State-by-State Commissary Requirements
| State | Visit Frequency | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | Before/after each operating day | Agreement & logs must be on truck |
| Texas | Once per operating day minimum | Copy of commissary permit required |
| Florida | Minimum 2x per week | Health dept must approve commissary |
| New York | Daily (NYC: before each vend) | NYC requires commissary letter on file |
| Illinois | Per-operation basis | Chicago has additional strict requirements |
How to Find an Approved Commissary
- Search your city/county health department website for licensed commercial kitchens.
- Check shared kitchen directories (The Kitchen Door).
- Ask other food truck operators in your area.
- Contact local restaurant incubators or churches with commercial kitchens.
Commissary Documentation Checklist
- Current signed commissary agreement (on truck)
- Commissary's current health permit (copy on file)
- Visit log for last 90 days (on truck)
- Agreement renewal date tracked
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my commissary be my home kitchen?
No. Home kitchens are not approved commissaries in any US jurisdiction for commercial food truck operations due to cross-contamination risks and zoning laws.
Do I need a commissary if my truck is fully self-contained?
Most jurisdictions still require commissary access for waste disposal (grease/trash) and water system maintenance, even for self-contained units.
What happens if my commissary closes?
Your permit may be suspended immediately. Always have a backup option identified and notify your health department immediately if your commissary status changes.
Get Your Commissary Paperwork Audit-Ready
Your commissary documentation needs to be binder-ready before your next inspection. AuditBinder generates the agreement template and visit log pre-formatted for mobile unit inspections.