Hi.
I am going to vent a bit here, but I also want to know if others have my experience too.
Today we were doing our new flea market gig and we were surprise inspected. No big deal really, we run clean and by the law. I know the reason we were inspected. Another food vendor was due for his state inspection (overdue All are due by June 30th). Late fee is 70 dollars in WI. We had our inspection and fees in way back in May when we went out the first week. On talking to the other vendor we learned he paid $100 for his license (no late fee). Ours was a few dollars shy of $300. I haven't figured out what kind of license he has yet. He has no Commissary. He carries a blue tank on wheels for his waste water. No fresh water tanks. He hooks up by hose to the water at the place he is working. We had to have our water tested for use, flow preventer on the lines, etc. I know the flea market is not state tested for water.
So we mosey over to the other food vendor and low and behold, I am astonished! He has this mini donut fryer on the counter, not a stainless counter. No suppression system. He has a crock pot on the other non stainless counter, for the tacos he makes. A fry daddy for frying ice cream and tacos. Gee, I'd think your ice cream could tase taco-y? That makes two fryers and no surpression system. State requires on if you run more than one fryer. Regular fridge and freezer, side by side model. An apartment stove. Lots of bare wood, not even painted. Sinks from Menards, no hands free hand washing sink. I have five bloody sinks, restaurant size. I had to have glassboard walls. All kinds of violations that I can see, just from outside. Mind you the inspector tested our food temps, reefer temps, and so forth. I really think he just wanted to see inside our rig. Curiosity. The higher up inspector was there and had a meeting with this guy and had told him we had a nice trailer and great food. That was good to hear. But curiosity was a factor here I am sure. So, we did the inspection and did fine. He tells us that we have a class act and a really nice set up, which is gratifying to hear. I then ask if he would like a sandwich of pulled pork with chips and a drink. Sure he says. I make it and Patrick asks him if he can just give it to him or would that be considered a bribe. We didn't charge him. Later Patrick is talking to the other vendor and finds out the inspector suggested he come over and look at our trailer to see an example of a good setup. That too was nice, kind of embarrassing for the guy, but ...
What gets me is that here are all these other vendors , not going by the book, which I do, and have no want to do it any other way, but hey, why do they get to operate outside the lines????? It is annoying!
This guy is running more than 20 events in the year. That is the max that special event vendors can go. So that is not where his license is set. He isn't prepackaged, so that is not his license. And even so, why should special events vendors be able to poison or mishandle food for people just because they are labeled SPECIAL EVENTS. They should have to have food management courses just like us. They should have to use professional ways and means too. It is just plain nonsense.
I am annoyed because I see it all the time. ARGHHH. I want to whack someone or something.
Last week I watched another food vendor wash out a coffee pot and the innards in the ladies room sink. Yuck! Unsanitary! Then she emptied the grounds into a big trash can in the parking lot and clanked it out on the walls inside the trash can. Walked straight back and made coffee. No wash, no rinse even. They have no water onboard! Course most people won't eat there, but some do.
Anyone else have these experiences? Does it make anyone else as crazy as it does us? We work hard to have a clean and compliant place. I know they make us look extra good, but it is still annoying.
Maybe it shouldn't bother me ... but it does! Anyone else?
Kate
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