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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 for small, at-home restaurants operated by residents in their personal homes. Small business home kitchen operation (MEHKOs) are offering meals for dine-in, delivery and take-out.
“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. Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Solano County, and 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.
The MEHKO permit limits the number of meals that can be sold to 30 per day, 90 per week, and annual total sales to $100,000. There are also some restrictions on the types of food that can be served.
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 at their home, and 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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