DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Proposed revisions to Chapter 13 City Code: Food and Food Handlers
SUMMARY:
This item proposes revisions to City Code Chapter 13: Food and Food Handlers with regards to establishing exceptions to facilitate charitable feeding.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On April 21, 2015 and May 17, 2015 City staff presented to the Quality of Life Committee on current regulations governing charitable feeding. At the request of the Quality of Life Committee, City Staff researched best practices, policies, and regulations of homeless feeding in public locations. In addition, on July 28, 2015, City of San Antonio held a discussion with local feeding organizations and other community stakeholders to gather their input and information on the locations and frequency of charitable feeding occurring in the community.
On October 6, 2015 the Department of Human Services (DHS) presented proposed revisions to Chapter 13 of the City Code to facilitate homeless charitable feeding activities to the Housing Council Committee. The Committee requested staff obtain input on preliminary recommendations from stakeholders and bring a proposal to City Council at a B Session. During the months of October, November and early December City staff met with charitable feeding organizations and with downtown stakeholders to review proposed revisions to Chapter 13 of the City Code and gather feedback. Recommendations reflecting the input received at these sessions were presented to the City Council at the December 9 "B" Session.
ISSUE:
Chapter 13 of the San Antonio City Code regulates all food establishments, including mobile food establishments, consistent with the Texas Food Establishment Rules. Currently these regulations do not include provisions specifically addressing charitable feeding.
This item recommends revisions to City Code Chapter 13: Food and F...
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