Food is often a natural part of many events and meetings that an organization may host. It is possible to serve food at your event, but it can take some extra time and planning, as any formal event or meeting held on campus must follow the University's policies on food service. Please read this website thoroughly and let our office know if you have any questions.



In general, food service policies on campus are split into two categories - whether the event or meeting will have ONLY UW Tacoma students, faculty or staff present OR non-UW Tacoma guests will be in attendance.

Covid-19 Prevention Guidelines for Food

Can I serve food at an event on campus?

Yes; although the Covid-19 Prevention guidelines have been updated by the Office of Environmental Health & Safety in order to ensure participant health and wellness during the program.  

For the full plan, please visit and read the Eating and Drinking Guidance for Covid-19 Prevention for more information.  You can find some frequently asked questions with answers below.

Why are there Covid-19 Prevention guidelines for eating and drinking at events?

The UW Face Covering Policy allows individuals to unmask when actively eating and drinking in appropriate places. When face coverings are removed for eating and drinking an individual will release more respiratory droplets and small particles (aerosols) while chewing, breathing, laughing, and speaking. If a person is infected with COVID-19, the respiratory droplets and aerosols they exhale can contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus which have the potential to expose others.

How can I have food at my event under the current policies?

In order to ensure the safety and wellness of all event participants, there are certain event logistics and regulations that should be followed by event organizers including:

  • When possible, choose to host your event where eating and drinking may occur where there is natural or mechanical ventilation, in order of preference:
    • outdoors when possible;
    •  at a food establishment or unit or department designated eating/drinking space,
    • as a last resort, with unmasked time minimized to a short duration, in an open building space where you can distance at least 6 feet from others.
  • Events with food present should reserve a space for attendees to eat separately from the main activity of the event.  For example, an organization should schedule one location for a workshop, while the lunch provided would be scheduled in another location. 
  • Attendees should be encouraged to limit the amount of time your face covering is removed for eating/drinking and put it back on when they are not actively eating/drinking. Event organizers should be prepared to limit any socializing while unmasked.
  • Practice good hand hygiene. Encourage attendees to wash or sanitize hands before and after eating, touching their mask, touching their face, and touching high-touch surfaces.
  • Events with food should work to choose location that allow seating to be set at a socially-distanced standard
What are my options for purchasing or providing food to attendees?
  • Use a UW Tacoma Preferred Caterer
    • Caterers can provide single-serving options that are prepackaged and distributed individually to attendees 
    • Caterers can also provide buffets, but buffets must be served by the Caterer
  • Provide single-serving and prepackaged items from a Caterer or business
    • Each items should be individually packaged in order to be handed to one person 
    • Student organizations and their members should not be preparing items at home and packaging them themselves
  • No homemade food items, even if prepackaged, can be provided.

Events with Only UW Tacoma Students, Faculty and/or Staff

When only UW Tacoma faculty, staff and/or students are in attendance at the event, you have flexibility in the food served.  You are able to serve food that is from a caterer, on-campus vendor or local business.  You can also serve pre-packaged.  If your items are to be prepared on campus a food safety preparation plan may be required. 

We encourage all events to:

  • Utilize a UW Tacoma Preferred Caterer
  • Use a vendor that is licensed and insured to cater food
  • Follow Health Department food service guidelines -- more information can be found on the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department's Food Safety website.  
  • Ensure that food that is being transported has proper actions taken to prevent contamination
  • Ensure that food that requires temperature control is closely monitored at the event.  For more information about the specific requirements please visit the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department's Food Safety website.  
  • Be conscious of the ingredients in the food items being served.  Consider that attendees may have food allergies or sensitivities.  Proper ingredient labeling of items is highly encouraged.

It's important to note that individuals from UW Seattle and UW Bothell are considered non-UW Tacoma guests.  This is also of partners, spouses, children, and other family members or dependents of UW Tacoma faculty/staff/students.  In these cases, the "Non-UW Tacoma Guests Are in Attendance" policies must be followed.

Events with Non-UW Tacoma Guests Attending

If you will have non-UW Tacoma guests in attendance, the options below are available to you. Please note that the definition of a "non-UW Tacoma guest" includes persons from UW Seattle and UW Bothell.

Use a UW Tacoma Preferred Caterer

If you use a UW Tacoma preferred caterer, then no additional paperwork is needed. These are companies that pre-completed all of the appropriate paperwork and insurance with UW Tacoma.

Use a Non-Preferred Caterer

If you want to use a company that is not listed as a preferred caterer, the following applies:

  • The company must be licensed for catering. Keep in mind that just because a restaurant is in business, does not automatically mean that they are also licensed to cater. These are two different distinctions.
  • This option requires additional paperwork that must be completed. You will need to work with Conference Services to do this. Contact Conference Services at least 4 weeks prior to your event.
  • The caterer must deliver and set up the food; you may not pick up the food and transport it to campus yourself.
  • Ideally, the caterer will also serve the food. If members of your RSO have a valid food handlers permit, they would be able to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a potluck for UW Tacoma attendees, with a separate area of pre-packaged foods for non-UW Tacoma guests?

No; if there will be any non-UWT guests present, you may not host a potluck. See above for your serving options at events with non-UWT guests.

How do I know if the restaurant I want to use is licensed to cater?

Just because a food vendor isn't listed on the UWT Preferred Catering list doesn't mean they aren't licensed. Refer to this list of licensed caterers in Pierce County. If the establishment you wish to work with is listed here, odds are good you can use them at your event.

The food vendor I am working with is not on the preferred catering list AND they are not licensed as a caterer.

If you are set on working with a particular caterer, they may be able to apply for a Temporary Food Establishment Permit through Pierce County. It is essential to read the requirements and deadlines carefully; this is not a last-minute option. There will also be an additional fee involved that you or the vendor will need to pay.

How do I get my food handler's permit?

You can take the Pierce County Food Worker Card training online, at a kiosk or in person. There is a fee, which is each individual's responsibility. 

Can I serve alcohol at our RSO event?

If you are interested in serving alcohol at an RSO event, please contact our office by sending an email to uwtclubs@uw.edu. A meeting with our office to discuss your event will be required. Please refer to this website for more information on serving alcohol at your event.