Student Organization Food Sales and Distribution Guidelines are established by the Sonoma State University Food Service and Sales Policy. Below are select guidelines as set forth by this policy. Please read the guidelines below to determine the appropriate procedures to follow for your event.

Bake Sales:

1. Bake sales are limited to nonperishable foods.
2. “Nonperishable food” is defined in the SSU Food Service and Sales policy.
3. Examples of nonperishable items include baked goods (without custard or whipped cream), hot beverages, punch (in non-galvanized containers) and candy.
4. All items shall be individually wrapped or displayed in approved covered trays.
5. No home preparation or storage is allowed, however, food may be prepared and stored in the Student Union kitchen.

Procedure: Submit a completed Request for Use of Facilities form to the Conferences, Events and Catering Office to reserve your time and space. Forms need to be submitted no less than two weeks prior to the first date requested. Bake sales are limited to the Stevenson Breezeway, Darwin Hall Lobby and the Schulz Monument between the hours of 8:00 am and 2:00 pm. One bake sale per location at any given time is allowed. Tables may be reserved through the Events office for a fee, or picked up from the Student Union free of charge but table availability is not guaranteed.

Hot Food Sales:

• Hot Food Sales are allowed in conjunction with a University approved event. To support the needs of clubs, insure health and safety monitoring and reduce liability and health hazards, fundraising sales and dispensing of perishable foods will be limited to specialty foods not otherwise available for sale or distribution on campus or foods deemed to be integral to the nature of the event.
• A certified food handler must be present during preparation, distribution and sale of food items.
• Examples of perishable items include meat, vegetables, fresh fruit and dairy products/

Procedure: Submit a completed Request for Use of Facilities Form to the Conferences, Events and Catering Office to reserve your time and space. Hot food sales also require the submission of a completed Campus Event Food Sale by Student Organization Request for Authorization Form and a Request for Release from Dining Form. All forms need to be submitted no less than two weeks prior to the first date requested. Hot food sales are limited to the Stevenson Breezeway, Darwin Hall Lobby and the Schulz Monument between the hours of 8:00 am and 2:00 pm. One hot food sale per location at any given time is allowed. Tables may be reserved through the Events office for a fee, or picked up from the Student Union free of charge but table availability is not guaranteed.
Potlucks:

• Potlucks may be held for members within a student organization.
• Food from outside caterers, vendors or restaurants is at no time permissible.
• Potlucks may not be held in a University Dining Services facility such as the Commons, Pub, or Zinfandel Dining Hall.
• If guests from outside of the organization will be attending, the event is no longer exempt from the food policy and Catering Services must provide the food.

Social Events:

• When a student organization would like to provide beverages and/or food to individuals outside their organization, Catered Services must be arranged through the Office of Conferences, Events and Catering.
• If food has been donated to the organization with the intent to provide refreshments at an event, a Request for Release from Dining Services Form needs to be filled out and submitted to the Office of Conferences, Events and Catering for review by the Director of Dining Services. Please submit this form a minimum of two weeks prior to the event. This form will be automatically disapproved if the event takes place in a University Dining Services facility such as the Commons, Pub, or Zinfandel Dining Hall.

Procedure: Submit a completed Request for Use of Facilities Form to the Conferences, Events and Catering Office to reserve your time and space and to make your catering arrangements. Forms should be submitted no less than two weeks prior to the first date requested.

Alcohol:

• All alcohol served at events sponsored by a student organization must be served by Dining Services staff.
• Since employees of Dining Services have a personal responsibility in the sale and distribution of alcohol, our servers have the right to refuse service to any individual or close a bar at an event.
• Groups which violate the University’s Alcohol Policy or University Dining Services’ Alcohol Guidelines may be declined the service of alcohol for future events.
• Anytime that alcohol is provided at an event sponsored by a student organization, the group must submit a completed Officer/Staff Request Form to the Office of Conferences, Events and Catering and a police officer may be assigned to provide security. This form needs to be submitted no less than 18 days prior to the scheduled day of the event. Otherwise, Police Services may be unable to staff the event and the event may be cancelled.

All forms mentioned above may be picked up at the Office of Conferences, Events and Catering in Salazar 2050A or downloaded at www.sonoma.edu/cec .

Please contact the Office of Conferences, Events and Catering with any questions at 664-3323.

Joining a Student Organization

Chartering & Club Requirements