JCHD food program consists of restaurant/retail inspections, plan review of new operations, temporary food event inspections, and permitting of yearly restaurant/mobile units.

To file an application for a Food & Beverage Permit or a Frozen Dessert Permit, please visit our new portal by clicking the button below.

Temporary Events: JCHD requires all temporary events where food is served to the public to obtain a permit. Application fees increase within five days of the event.

All facilities, including mobile units, serving or selling food to the public are required to go through the plan review process in order to obtain a food and beverage permit. The plans must show details of the physical facility, including a menu. There is a fee for plan review that must be paid at time of submission.

To submit a plan review, visit our portal by clicking the button below.

JCHD assists in preventing water-borne illnesses in drinking water from private wells.

Private well water sample kits for bacteriological testing can be picked up at the Jefferson County Health Department Hillsboro office. All instructions are included in the kit.

Water samples should be collected and returned to JCHD for the state courier by 11:15 AM Monday-Friday. If you miss that time, you can drop off samples at the Mercy Hospital Jefferson Laboratory by 4:00 PM daily.

The cost is $10, check or money order only, cash is not accepted.

JCHD requires all food handlers to obtain ANSI accredited Food handler or Manager level certification. Training is available on line by clicking the resources below.

The Jefferson County Health Department recognizes that the direct marketing of agricultural products through Farmers’ Markets is desirable.  When properly operated, Farmers’ Markets provide a communal and economic benefit to both the agricultural community and Jefferson County citizens by providing fresh and wholesome local produce, nuts, honey, jams, jellies, non-potentially hazardous foods such as baked goods, inspected meats, and pet treats in a socially significant setting.  Farmers’ Markets help keep small farms alive.  We further recognize that Farmers’ Markets allow local vendors to market their goods directly to the public near their source of origin.  This creates benefits to vendors, the environment, and the local community.

There are six Farmers’ Markets within Jefferson County. Each market is headed up by one or more Market Master(s) and the Market Masters are trained by Jefferson County Health Department.  In the interest of food safety, the markets are overseen by JCHD.  For additional information and questions, please email communications@jeffcohealth.org attn: Nancy Radoch or, contact one of the markets below.

• Arnold: tkohut@arnoldmo.org           

• Cedar Hill: peacepantry@att.net 

• Cedar Hill: auntiemern@yahoo.com

• Crystal City: crystalcityfarmersmarket@gmail.com

• De Soto: director@gethealthydesoto.org

• Herculaneum: herkymarket@gmail.com

• Hillsboro: tripointe12@gmail.com

Join the Food Safety Task Force!

The Food Safety Task Force’s mission is to promote collaboration between food protection stakeholders and address issues related to food service facilities within Jefferson County. We would like to recruit local individuals to become members; participation is highly encouraged from the following: local academia and food industry, consumers, and government officials.