The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday that would permit small-scale restaurant and food operations for residents.
The county approved Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) permits for residents that allow people to produce less than 90 meals per week, up to $100,000 in gross annual sales, and be authorized to sell food to the public from their homes.
Following two years with over 100 permits approved during a pilot program, the county received only two complaints for permitted operators and saw six unpermitted operators turn into regulated ones. Passage of the ordinance will make Contra Costa the 16th county in California to have a permanent program for small-scale restaurant operators — following the likes of Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties.
Kristian Lucas, the director of environmental health for Contra Costa, said the pilot program received two environmental complaints and no food illness related concerns — indicating the success of regulating operators with reasonable guidelines. He added that those who received permits and were later surveyed about the program said it helped support woman-owned small business operations and communities of color legally operate while receiving supplemental income.
“I should say that this industry, in particular the restaurant industry or the retail food industry, is notoriously capital intensive,” said Lucas. “It’s very fickle and quite resource intensive as well. And so, there’s a number of different factors that would allow for someone to want to start up something and then realize, ‘maybe this isn’t for me.’”
Supervisor Candace Andersen was excited to support the measure. She pointed to the diverse community in San Ramon, which she represents, as a prime example of the benefits of the MEHKO program.
“People want food from their regions, and they may not have the time to prepare it themselves, and there aren’t enough restaurants,” Andersen said.
Pursuing passions, connecting with community
Clayton resident Kenyatta Robinson operates a smokehouse and barbeque small business from his backyard. He said the new permitting program helped him after being laid off and helped him be with his family.
“I needed a way to generate income for my family while also being present for the people who needed me most,” said Robinson. “It gave me the flexibility to care for my mother, to grieve, to be there for my family, and to turn a lifelong passion for Texas-style barbecue into a real, licensed, inspected business, not a hobby, a venture.”
Antioch resident Tonj’a Robinson-Lopez said the program has granted her and her wife the opportunity to get closer to their community.
“It gave me the flexibility to care for my mother, to grieve, to be there for my family, and to turn a lifelong passion for Texas-style barbecue into a real, licensed, inspected business, not a hobby, a venture.”
Kenyatta Robinson, Clayton MEHKO participant
“This has really opened the door for us to nurture and take care of everyone in the community and to provide clean, healthy meals, and that trust and that commitment, said Robinson.
From neighboring Pittsburg, Chris Lujan said being able to start a small restaurant business through the program has helped him achieve the American Dream.
“We’re not just trying to make a quick buck. We’re trying to build a future,” said Lujan. “Small businesses are what bring the community together. I feel like this is bringing neighborhoods back together.”
Prospective applicants of the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations program will have to apply through the county Department of Environmental Health. More information is available on the county’s website.