Photo: CC Health
Small business home kitchen operations will be able to offer dine-in, delivery and take-out meals with restrictions, in addition to cottage food operations already permitted.
Contra Costa Health
Contra Costa residents interested in selling home-cooked meals to the public can now obtain a sanitation permit to do so, giving entrepreneurs an affordable option that keeps customers safe.
Starting July 1, the Contra Costa Health Department (CCH) will be issuing a new type of food permit. Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) are small, home-based restaurants operated by residents in their own homes and can offer meals for dine-in, delivery or take-out. MEHKO is open for dine-in, take-out and delivery, and also operates as a permitted food cart concession stand.
“Providing this option ensures that people who sell food out of their homes can do so in a safe manner that protects the health of our community,” said Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Federal Glover. “It also opens the doors to neighborhood businesses and expands access to healthy, nutritious food in areas where options are limited.”
The commission unanimously passed the ordinance in May, allowing the county to issue the permits under a 2018 state law. Several other Bay Area jurisdictions have already taken similar measures, including Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Solano counties and the city of Berkeley.
This permit allows you to store, handle, prepare, and serve or deliver food in a private home. Most other food permits require you to have a commercial kitchen located within a restaurant or similar establishment.
Permitted homes can also be used as space to prepare food for sale at the food cart, but a food cart sanitation permit is required, which has proven to be a major barrier in Contra Costa.
Like standard commercial food permit holders, MEHKO permit holders must meet requirements regarding both the space in which they operate their business and food safety training for operators. CCH inspects each permit holder annually or more frequently.
A MEHKO permit has limitations of 30 meals per day, 90 meals per week, and $100,000 in total annual sales. There are also restrictions on the types of food you can serve.
CCH is planning countywide workshops for potential applicants later this year.
“The permit is great for entrepreneurs just starting out in their business,” says Christian Lucas, CCH Environmental Health Director, “and it's also a way for the public to know that vendors advertising on social media are complying with food safety regulations.”
MEHKO permit holders will be required to display their permit in their homes, and health inspection records will be available to the public at cchealth.org..
Cottage food businesses are already permitted to operate.
The Contra Costa Health Department issues two types of permits for home food sales. In addition to the new MEHKO, the county also permits Cottage Food Operations (CFOs), which “permit home food sales to prepare small amounts of certain foods in the home kitchen for retail sale.” CFOs may prepare and package foods that are not potentially hazardous at home. The California Department of Public Health maintains a list of foods that are approved for sale in private homes. Examples of these foods include cookies, candy, jams/jelly, muffins, cakes, and pies. Only foods on the state list are approved as cottage food products.
According to the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Administration, “There are two classes of CFOs.
Class A: This type of CFO can sell home-prepared food directly to the public. This includes transactions over the phone, internet, or other digital methods. Direct sales can be done in person, by mail, or using other third-party delivery services. The current maximum annual gross sales for Class A businesses is $75,000.
Class B: This type of CFO can sell home-prepared food directly to the public or indirectly through restaurants and food markets. Direct sales are made in person, by mail, or through other third-party delivery services. Indirect sales are made in person, by mail, or through a third-party delivery service. Class B businesses have current annual gross sales of $150,000.
For more information about the new permit and CFO permit, including how to apply, visit cchealth.org/homekitchens..
