A food truck commissary agreement in Texas comes down to two documents, both physically on your truck at inspection: (1) a signed authorization letter from the CPF's owner or manager confirming your truck is authorized to operate from that location (notarized if you don't own the CPF), and (2) the CPF's most recent health inspection report, showing it is currently permitted.
Having a commissary but leaving the paperwork at home is treated the same as having no commissary at all.
- 📝 "Agreement" = authorization letter. DSHS looks for a signed letter, not a long contract.
- 🖋️ Notarize it if the commissary isn't yours.
- 📋 Add the CPF's latest inspection report. Current, not last year's.
- 🚚 Both ride on the truck. At home doesn't count.
- 🏠 No home kitchens. Servicing areas can't be private residences.
Commissary Agreement vs. Authorization Letter
Operators, commissaries, and other states call it a "commissary agreement." What DSHS actually checks under HB 2844 is narrower: proof that a permitted facility has authorized your specific truck to operate from it. That proof is the authorization letter and the facility's inspection report. A longer private contract with your commissary (rent, hours, parking) is your business, but it does not replace the letter.
- Signed authorization letter from the CPF owner or manager, confirming your truck is authorized to operate from that location.
- Notarized if you do not own the CPF.
- The CPF's most recent health inspection report, showing the facility is currently permitted and in good standing.
- Both documents physically on the vehicle during your inspection.
What Your Commissary Letter Should Say
The required core is short. We recommend a few extra details because they answer the questions an inspector or application reviewer would otherwise have to ask, and that saves you a round of back-and-forth.
Must have:
- The CPF's legal name and physical street address.
- A plain statement that your truck is authorized to operate from that location.
- The signature, printed name, and title of the CPF's owner or manager.
- A notary block, if you don't own the facility.
We recommend adding (not a published DSHS requirement):
- Your business name and the truck's identification (license plate or VIN), so the letter clearly covers this unit.
- The services you'll use there: potable water fill, grey water and grease disposal, food storage, warewashing, prep.
- The date and how long the authorization runs.
- A phone number for the CPF contact.
Free Commissary Authorization Letter Template
Copy this, fill in the brackets, and have your commissary print it on their letterhead and sign it in front of a notary.
[CPF LETTERHEAD] Date: [Month Day, Year] To: Texas Department of State Health Services, Mobile Food Vendor Program Re: Central Preparation Facility authorization for [Your Business Name] [CPF Legal Name], located at [Street Address, City, Texas ZIP], holds a current food establishment permit. This letter confirms that [Your Business Name], operating the mobile food unit [Year Make Model, License Plate / VIN], is authorized to operate from this location as its central preparation facility. Services available to this unit: [potable water fill / grey water and grease disposal / food storage / warewashing / food preparation]. This authorization is effective [start date] through [end date or "until revoked in writing"]. Signed: ______________________ Printed name: [Owner or Manager Name] Title: [Owner / General Manager] Phone: [Number] [Notary acknowledgment — required if the operator does not own the CPF]
Template for general guidance, not legal advice. Attach the CPF's most recent health inspection report behind it.
Who Can Be Your Commissary
DSHS confirmed these examples to us by phone. The common thread: the facility holds a current food establishment permit, and you have written authorization from the owner.
- A licensed restaurant with a current health permit.
- A church kitchen that carries a food establishment permit.
- A brewery with a licensed kitchen.
Servicing areas cannot be private residences. Your home kitchen does not qualify, even if it's spotless.
Mistakes That Send Applications Back
- Leaving the documents at home. At inspection, missing paperwork counts as no commissary.
- Skipping the notary when the facility isn't yours.
- An old inspection report. Bring the CPF's most recent one.
- A vague letter that never actually says your truck is authorized to operate from that location.
- Using a home kitchen or any facility without a food establishment permit.
A missing or incomplete CPF authorization letter is one of the top reasons applications get returned and inspections fail.
Don't Want a Commissary at All?
Under 25 TAC §226.6(c)(3), a truck may operate without a CPF only if it meets every requirement of the exemption: enough on-board equipment for temperature control, potable water from an approved source, waste removed at an approved facility, and records of where you fill and dump, among others. DSHS checks each requirement at inspection. Read the CPF exemption, explained or the full Texas commissary rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a commissary agreement for a food truck in Texas?
In Texas, the commissary agreement DSHS checks is a signed authorization letter from the central preparation facility (CPF) owner or manager confirming your truck is authorized to operate from that location, plus the CPF's most recent health inspection report. Both must be on the truck at inspection.
Does my commissary letter have to be notarized?
Yes, if you do not own the commissary. The authorization letter from a CPF you don't own must be notarized.
What documents do I need besides the commissary letter?
The CPF's most recent health inspection report, showing the facility is currently permitted. Keep it with the signed letter on the truck.
Can I use my home kitchen as a commissary in Texas?
No. Servicing areas cannot be private residences. Your commissary must be a facility with a current food establishment permit, such as a licensed restaurant, a permitted church kitchen, or a brewery with a licensed kitchen.
Do I need a commissary if my food truck is self-contained?
Possibly not. Under 25 TAC §226.6(c)(3) a truck may operate without a CPF if it meets every exemption requirement, and DSHS checks each one at inspection. Confirm before you apply.
Related Reports
- Texas Food Truck Commissary (CPF) Rules
- The CPF Exemption, Explained
- Equipment Requirements Under HB 2844
- Failed Your Inspection? What It Costs
- Get Your Truck Licensed: Plans and Pricing
Published: October 22, 2026. Last verified: October 22, 2026. Requirements are drawn from the DSHS Mobile Food Vendor Guide, 25 TAC Chapter 226, and the Texas Food Establishment Rules as summarized in our verified reports. Field reports describe what inspectors told our clients and are labeled as such; they are not published DSHS policy. This is general compliance information, not legal advice.
Reported by: Texas Food Truck Permits Editorial Team