The Marin County Board of Supervisors will consider adopting a new ordinance on Tuesday that would create a three-year pilot program allowing residents to prepare and sell meals from their homes.
The Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation, or MEHKO, program would establish a permitting process for small-scale home food businesses. The pilot would begin March 1 and cap permits at 100 per year. Part of the plan includes $156,000 in grants to help home chefs with permitting and application costs.
The program allows cooks and food entrepreneurs to operate without the expense of a traditional restaurant or commercial kitchen.
Thirty percent of permits would be reserved for low-income residents. After two years, supervisors could consider making the program permanent.
“Small businesses are the pulse of not only Marin County’s local economy but of our country’s economic vitality.”
Sarah Jones, Marin County Community Development Agency Director
California authorized MEHKO programs in 2019. Seventeen counties have since adopted them, including Sonoma, San Mateo, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Clara counties.
Under state guidelines, MEHKOs are limited to 30 meals per day or 90 meals per week and gross annual sales are limited to $100,000.
According to the county’s economic research, small businesses with up to four employees make up nearly 72% of local establishments. At the same time, Marin County residents are eating out more. Sales tax revenues rose 1.3% for quick-service restaurants and 3.5% for fast-casual food in late 2024.
“Small businesses are the pulse of not only Marin County’s local economy but of our country’s economic vitality,” said Marin County Community Development Agency Director Sarah Jones. “MEHKOs fill a vital steppingstone toward a full-scale food business that does not exist right now.”
