A purchase order must be issued prior to all catered events at any dollar amount. All caterers must have a certificate of insurance on file prior to the event. The purchase order will be issued after receipt of the insurance certificate.
Cornell units arranging for catering services should be aware that preparing and serving food invites risks, primarily because of health issues. Cornell's Office of Risk Management and Insurance requires evidence of insurance for all caterers before services are performed.
If your caterer has insurance on file with Cornell, and the insurance will be in effect at the time of your event, you must issue a purchase order to the caterer prior to the event, noting that the insurance is on file at Cornell (Risk Management or Supply Management Services). If your caterer does not have insurance on file with Cornell, or if the insurance is due to expire before your event, the caterer must update these records with Risk Management before performing any services. Once the insurance is received, the purchase order will be issued.
Catering occurs when a vendor prepares, sets up, serves or cleans up food on Cornell controlled property, including both facilities owned by Cornell and facilities that may be rented or leased and only under Cornell’s control for the period of the event (i.e., rental of a banquet hall). Catering should not be confused with simple delivery, where no service is provided on site (i.e., pizza delivery).
Caterers who meet the insurance requirements to provide services for Cornell University
