The individual or agency responsible for the temporary food establishment shall contact the PMA at least ___ day(s) prior to opening to obtain a permit to operate the facility.

• A. At least 14 days prior
• B. At least 7 days prior
• C. At least 21 days prior
• D. On opening day

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that temporary food operations must be reviewed and approved by the permitting authority before they start serving food. This requires enough lead time to complete the application, schedule any required inspections, and issue the permit.

Two weeks (at least 14 days) gives the agency enough time to process the permit, verify that the setup meets sanitation and safety requirements, and address any issues before you open. Shorter notice, like seven days, is often not enough to complete inspections or correct problems. Waiting until the opening day isn’t acceptable because you must have the permit in hand before you begin operations. While some situations might involve longer review, fourteen days is the typical, appropriate lead time for temporary establishments.