IN ON THE ACTION. THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS ALL FOOD BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN PICKED BY THE NFL SHOULD REACH OUT TO THEIR DEPARTMENT NOW FOR PERMITTING. THAT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING TO PITTSBURGH FOR THE NFL DRAFT NEXT MONTH. THOSE FOOD VENDORS WHO WERE NOT PICKED CAN STILL RUN THEIR BUSINESSES OUTSIDE OF THE RED ZONE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY AND IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS THE FOOD BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN SELECTED SHOULD HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED THE DEPARTMENT’S FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM. IF NOT, THEY NEED TO DO IT NOW. VENDOR SELECTED BY THE NFL TO OPERATE WITHIN THE OFFICIAL RED ZONE EVENT AREA ARE NOT REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A LICENSE OR PERMIT FROM THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH’S OFFICE OF PERMITS, LICENSES AND INSPECTIONS. BUT THERE’S STILL TIME TO GET A PERMIT. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A FOOD BUSINESS OUTSIDE OF THE RED ZONE, MOHAMMED BARBERO OWNS BARBERO GREEK GYRO DOWNTOWN. HE SELLS MEDITERRANEAN FOOD. HE HAS ANOTHER FOOD TRUCK ALREADY IN THE RED ZONE, BUT WAS TOLD HE WILL HAVE TO MOVE IT BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION. FOR THIS. SOME LOCATION THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO MOVE THEM. SO IT’S LIKE THIS LOCATION. I DON’T HAVE TO MOVE, SO I STAY HERE PLACES THEY ALREADY BEEN APPROVED AND YOU JUST CHOOSE ONE OF THEM AND YOU CAN MOVE YOUR TRUCK FROM LOCATION TO ANOTHER LOCATION. THE CITY SAYS IT UPGRADED ITS VENDOR GUIDELINES, SO THAT WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO APPLY. THE NFL DRAFT IS APRIL 23RD THROUGH T
Allegheny County Health Department urges NFL Draft food vendors to get permits now
Updated: 6:51 PM EDT Apr 2, 2026
The Allegheny County Health Department is urging food vendors selected by the NFL to reach out for permitting ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins in three weeks in Pittsburgh.The department said it is important to obtain permits to capitalize on the influx of hundreds of thousands of visitors expected for the event.Vendors not selected by the NFL can still operate outside the designated “red zone” in various parts of the city and Allegheny County.The health department explained that selected food businesses should have already contacted the department’s food safety program. If not, they need to do so immediately. While the Allegheny County Health Department requires permits, vendors operating within the official red zone event area are not required to obtain a license or permit from the City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections. There is still time to get a permit for those wanting to operate outside the red zone.Mohamed Barbirou, owner of Barbirou Greek Gyro downtown, sells Mediterranean food and has a food truck already in the red zone. He was informed that he would need to move his truck due to construction.”There are places that have already been approved and you just choose one of them and you can move your truck from one location to another location,” Barbirou said.Further instructions will be provided for those interested in operating a food truck outside the red zone.
PITTSBURGH —
The Allegheny County Health Department is urging food vendors selected by the NFL to reach out for permitting ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins in three weeks in Pittsburgh.
The department said it is important to obtain permits to capitalize on the influx of hundreds of thousands of visitors expected for the event.
Vendors not selected by the NFL can still operate outside the designated “red zone” in various parts of the city and Allegheny County.
The health department explained that selected food businesses should have already contacted the department’s food safety program.
If not, they need to do so immediately.
While the Allegheny County Health Department requires permits, vendors operating within the official red zone event area are not required to obtain a license or permit from the City of Pittsburgh’s Office of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections.
There is still time to get a permit for those wanting to operate outside the red zone.
Mohamed Barbirou, owner of Barbirou Greek Gyro downtown, sells Mediterranean food and has a food truck already in the red zone.
He was informed that he would need to move his truck due to construction.
“There are places that have already been approved and you just choose one of them and you can move your truck from one location to another location,” Barbirou said.
Further instructions will be provided for those interested in operating a food truck outside the red zone.