Temporary Food, Beverage and Catering - NYS Fairgrounds

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Division of the New York State Fair (the “Department” or the “Fair”) is accepting applications from food and beverage service vendors to provide temporary food, beverage, and/or catering services for non-fair shows or events held on the New York State Fairgrounds (Town of Geddes, Onondaga County, Syracuse, New York) where there is no permanent food facility, such as agricultural events and horse shows. The following facilities on the Fairgrounds have permanent food vendors and are not covered by this contract: Empire Room and Somerset Room in the Art & Home Center; the Exposition Center (main floor concessions only; catering is permitted); and the Center of Progress Restaurant. Temporary food, beverage, and/or catering services may include, if requested, the sale of beer, wine, and spirits.

For purposes of this solicitation, the following definitions apply:

• “Catering” is defined as food and beverage service for a pre-determined number of patrons that includes a pre-determined menu and lump sum or per person fee and includes "on-premise catering” where food is prepared and served at the event venue, and “off-premise catering” where food is prepared at a separate location and transported to the event venue.

• “Temporary Food and Beverage Service” is defined as a place where food is prepared or handled and served to the public, with charge, and which operates at a fixed location in conjunction with a single event and includes food trucks and food trailers.

These temporary food, beverage and catering services will not be required or permitted at the annual New York State Fair or Syracuse Nationals event, which must be applied for and licensed separately.

Temporary Food, Beverage, & Catering Service:
The Fair will maintain a list of licensed vendors authorized to provide temporary food, beverage, and/or catering services for non-fair shows and events (“Approved List”). Any promoter who requires temporary food, beverage, and/or catering services for their show or event may only use one or more vendors chosen from the Approved List to provide those services.

Each vendor on the Approved List must sign a contract with the Department and maintain General Liability Insurance, Liquor Liability Insurance (if applicable), Workers’ Compensation Insurance, and Disability Insurance (sample contract is attached for reference). Vendors on the Approved List must also pay the Department twelve (12%) percent of the gross revenue, less New York State and Onondaga County sales taxes, from the sale of all food and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages.

After the promoter chooses a vendor(s) from the Approved List, the selected vendor(s) must submit a form with supporting documentation to the Fair identifying the service(s) provided for the show/event and the location where service(s) will be provided. Following the show/event, the selected vendor(s) from the Approved List must submit a form with supporting sales documentation to the Fair. The Fair will verify the sales data and invoice the vendor accordingly for the percentage payment due.