Apply for a Large Group Food Distribution Permit for the Homeless

NOTE: DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF TRASH AND GARBAGE LEFT AFTER FEEDINGS, WE ARE ONLY ALLOWING ONE FOOD DISTRIBUTION PER LOT THROUGHOUT THE DAY.  IF AN ORGANIZATION HAS ALREADY SECURED THE LOT FOR ANY TIME DURING THE DAY THAT YOU ARE REQUESTING, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ISSUE YOU A PERMIT.  

Do you want to organize a large group food distribution for the unsheltered homeless at one of the designated locations in The City of Miami? You will need this permit to do so. This allows The City to manage large group food distributions in designated locations and times with advance notice, ensuring a safe and sanitary environment for our residents, surrounding businesses, and unsheltered homeless. This also allows an opportunity for other homeless service providers to provide other services during the distributions. 

Please note, as per the City Ordinance, only one permit per week will be given to any person or organizer. 

Please note that during the threat of COVID, we are encouraging individuals and organizations to not participate in large group food distributions. If you choose to participate in large group food distribution, please follow CDC guidelines.

NOTE: Permits must be requested at least two business days in advance of the event. Please do not request feeding permit more than 60 days in advance.

 

Steps

Determine Your Location & Timing

The City has five locations designated for large group feedings. These locations have different dates and hours of availability. Please review the list below to determine the location you prefer, then view our Google Calendar to see if and when that location is available.

  • There are (5) designated Large Group Feeding Locations:
    •  (3) Lot Locations with Extended Hours
            a. Miami Parking Authority Lot 14 (Flagler & NW 3 Ave) - Sunday – Saturday 7:00am – 10:00pm
            b. Miami Parking Authority Lot 15 (Under I-95 SW 2nd Avenue and River Dr. between SW 1st and 2nd Street).  Updated hours effective immediately: Monday - Sunday 5:00am – 8:00pm
            c. Miami Parking Authority Lot 28 (SW 7 St & SW 4 Ave) - Sunday – Saturday 7:00am – 10:00pm
    •  (2) Lot Locations with Limited Days and Hours
            d. Miami Parking Authority Lot 33 (SW 1 St and SW 2 Ave) - Monday – Friday 7:00am – 7:00pm
            e. Miami Parking Authority Lot 38 (S Miami Ave & SE 2 Ave) - Monday – Friday 7:00am – 7:00pm
    • Our public Google Calendar shows availability at each location. Please check this calendar before you apply for a permit on a particular date. Please do not request feeding permit more than 60 days in advance. 
    • Please note, Large Group Feeding permits will be limited to one (1) per day for any given designated feeding location, and one (1) per week for any organizer.  Permits will be issued on a first come, first served basis, based on the availability of the desired designated feeding location.

    Collect Information Before you Apply

    You will need to provide specific answers to the questions in our form. Please have the following details prepared:

    • An estimate of the number of individuals that will be served.
    • An estimate of the number of food preparers, servers and staff that will be onsite when the food is served and distributed.
    • Time of day when food service and distribution is anticipated to be served or distributed at each date listed in the notice.
    • Organizations who submit applications for a Large Group Feeding permit through individuals without those individuals disclosing their association with the organization will be subject to being precluded from receiving Large Group Feeding permits for a period of up to twelve (12) months.

    Prepare a Clean-Up Plan

    Post-feeding clean-up is one of the most important parts of this process.  Any person or organization that does not clean up properly after their food distribution can be prohibited from hosting again.  This includes trash that is generated as a result of the food distribution around the lot location.

    Violations may be leveed if trash or debris from the feeding site has not been properly removed, or if a feeding proceeds without a permit.  

    Complete Application

    You must apply at least two business days before your planned feeding event. Any applications received less than two business days before an event cannot be approved.

    Group Feeding Permit Application

    Collect your Permit, Properly Prepare

    • If approved, you will receive your permit via email. Please print this out and have it on-site during the event at all times.
    • We recommend your transfer and store food immediately prior to service or distribution to persons at a Safe Temperature. View Florida Health's Food Safety and Sanitation guidelines. 
    • Use one of the following methods of sanitizing hands before and during preparation, service, and/or distribution of food:
      • Use hand sanitizer containing at least 70 percent alcohol or another substance capable of killing 99.9 percent of the bacteria on hands within 30 seconds of application.
      • Use disposable gloves.

Contact Us

Email

feeding@miamigov.com

Location

Miami
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