CLARK COUNTY (KTNV) — Two weeks ago, the City of North Las Vegas announced that a house in the 600 block of Carey Avenue went up in flames.
After the fire was extinguished, officials from the Buildings Department, Code Enforcement Department and Business Licensing Department began searching the home for illegal business operations. They say the facility was being used as a commissary kitchen.
“This was in the process of preparing a large amount of food to be distributed to small food stands that you see around town,” said Larry Rogers, director of food operations for the Southern Nevada Health District.
Rogers said the kitchens at these kiosks operate without licenses or health permits, and they cook and sell the food they create to local street vendors.
He says this is a new problem plaguing our valley, and it only started this year.
“This is new in Clark County, but I've been doing this for 16 years,” Rogers said.
The worst thing about these commissary kitchens is the lack of food safety.
The Southern Nevada Health District sent us photos of the commissary kitchens they saw this year. Photos show raw meat at dangerous temperatures, blood pooling in cardboard boxes, and improper storage of meat.
Southern Nevada Health District
Southern Nevada Health District
Southern Nevada Health District
Southern Nevada Health District
Southern Nevada Health District
I showed the same photo to Marcela Lopez. She owns a new food truck, Pupuseria La Salvadorena, located on Vegas Drive. She says these food conditions are unacceptable.
“No, it's not safe to eat,” Lopez said. “They should have kept it at a safer temperature.”
Lopez just received all the permits and licenses to operate legally about a week ago. Before that, she worked as an illegal street vendor.
On April 30th, a new county ordinance went into effect requiring street vendors to obtain a business license. Instead of going through the legal process and continuing to operate as a street vendor, Lopez decided to buy a food truck. She says choosing to operate legally in the valley was worth it.
“I had to sacrifice a lot. I just paid my bills and put everything else into my savings account. It's difficult, but not impossible. I did,” Lopez said.
Lopez now has a kitchen, proper refrigerator, and air conditioning.
“Now I have everything I need and I feel better,” Lopez said.
Despite the different requirements for food trucks and street vendors, many say they have one thing in common: the prices are too high to comply. Street vendors cost about $1,200.
WATCH: Clark County street vendors blame delays and costly permit applications
Clark County street vendors complain of delayed and costly permit applications
But Rogers says the health district is coming to the rescue.
“In fact, we are required to offer payment plans to sidewalk vendors and we are happy to do so,” Rogers said.
Clark County has announced that a violation of illegally operating a street vendor can result in penalties of up to $500 and possible jail time.
