Contra Costa residents interested in selling home-cooked food to the public can now get a health permit to do so, an affordable option for entrepreneurs that ensures the safety of their customers.
Beginning July 1, Contra Costa Health (CCH) offers a new type of food permit for small-scale, home-based restaurants operated inside private homes by their residents. Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) can offer meals for dine-in, delivery and takeout.
“By providing this option we ensure that people who sell food out of their homes do so in a safe manner that protects the health of our community,” said Federal Glover, chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “We also open the door for neighborhood businesses, and for more access to healthy, nutritious food in areas where options may be limited.”
The board unanimously adopted an ordinance in May authorizing the county to offer the permit under terms of a 2018 state law. Several other Bay Area jurisdictions already do so, including Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Solano counties, and the City of Berkeley.
The permit allows meals to be stored, handled, and prepared to be served or delivered in a private residence. Most other food permits require a commercial kitchen in a restaurant or similar facility.
A permitted home can also serve as a space to prepare food for sale on street carts, a requirement to obtain a cart vendor health permit that has proven to be a significant barrier in Contra Costa.
As with holders of standard commercial food permits, MEHKO permit holders must meet requirements relating both to the spaces where their businesses operate and the food-safety training of operators. CCH will inspect each permit holder annually or more often.
The MEHKO permits do limit the holder to selling no more than 30 meals per day and 90 meals per week, and no more than $100,000 in gross annual sales. There are also some limitations regarding the type of food that may be served.
CCH will schedule workshops throughout the county later this year for potential applicants.
“This permit is great for new entrepreneurs who are just getting started,” CCH Environmental Health Director Kristian Lucas said. “It’s also a way for the public to know that a seller advertising on social media is complying with food safety regulations.”
MEHKO permit holders will be required to display their permits at their homes, and their health inspection records will be available to the public at cchealth.org.
For more information about the new permits, including how to apply, visit cchealth.org/homekitchens.
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7 comments
“By providing this option we ensure that people who sell food out of their homes do so in a safe manner that protects the health of our community,” So I assume Contra Costa County Health will also be doing their checks on these private kitchens
I’m sure they’re checking every rainbow umbrella vendor, every honking golf cart and every person sitting out with a hand truck selling flats of fruit.
/S
That’s clearly what the article states.
I don’t see the person in the picture wearing a HAIRNET!
I would not eat anything from who knows what kind of conditions the house is.
Restaurants are bad enough.
“CCH will inspect each permit holder annually.” Doubtful.
“By providing this option we ensure that people who sell food out of their homes do so in a safe manner.” Very doubtful.
Same group of negative ass people spewing their negativity. Don’t buy the food then. End of story. Eat your fast food from the dude that just took a leak then picked his nose, didn’t wash his hands and went back to fixing your meal he just coughed all over.
“ME” is correct. Many of you have no idea what happens in a restaurant kitchen. If you think that a business is regulated and expected any better you’re only fooling yourself. And nobody wears hairnets while you’re making your food, unless you’re serving time in the pen.