PORT ANGELES — Leave the vegetarian casserole at home because the city’s once-a-month art events are now homemade-food free.
After about two years as one organized occasion, the art events held the second weekend of every month must comply with state regulations governing how food can be served at public events.
Those rules require the host of each event to pay for a permit to serve food and receive a food handler’s card.
The events have to comply with such regulations because they are now advertised through a flier produced by the Port Angeles Arts Council. That flier has been distributed for about the last two months.
“Advertising does make it clear that it’s open to the public,” said Jessica Pankey, environmental health specialist for the Clallam County Health Department.
And if an event is open to the public, the organizers must have a permit to serve food, she said.
The permit requires the organizers to list what food will be served and how it will be cooked.
It also requires the food to be provided by a caterer, bought from a store or otherwise prepared in a commercial kitchen.
About half of the 16 art events held during every second weekend will have to come into compliance by next month, said Eric Neurath, arts council interim president.
Artist Bob Stokes said he will have to get a permit just to serve cheese at his art demonstrations at Studio Bob, 118 ½ E. Front St., on the second Friday of each month.
“The good news is, our second weekend event is getting very well-known and popular,” Stokes said.
“The bad news is, it’s getting very well-known.”
Most likely affected by these requirements is the art studio party held by artist Gray Lucier on the second Saturday of each month at 409 W. Second St.
The event, with live music and other entertainment, has had a bring-your-own-food policy since it began over three years ago.
Potluck nixed
But the potluck dinner with typically eight to 10 main dishes will no longer be a feature of the event, Lucier said.
“Anyone can order a pizza or order a food platter from Safeway,” he said.
Lucier said up to 20 people sometimes bring homemade food to his event.
“I know some people who really make a meal out of it,” he said.
“Some take pride in what they bring.”
Lucier said he will get a permit and food handler’s card, but he’s not sure what he will serve next month.
While he doesn’t like to ask for donations, Lucier said the permit and store-bought food will significantly add to the cost of hosting the event.
“It’s a hardship,” he said.
“I want to make sure that there is something at the table.”
About 80 to 90 people usually show up, Lucier said.
The event organizers essentially have the options of two permits.
If they serve the same food each time, a permit will cost $25 per event.
If they serve something different, a permit will cost $100 per event.
All of the event organizers can apply together for one permit, at a cost of $120 per year, but they have decided against that idea.
Such a permit would be filed through the arts council, but the newly formed organization doesn’t have the funds to cover the liability of someone getting a food-borne illness, Neurath said.
He said the arts council may revisit the idea when it is approved for nonprofit status.
The Health Department will waive permit fees for nonprofit organizations, said Andy Brastad, Clallam County environmental health manager.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
