New Program for At-Home Food Businesses In Los Angeles County

Food delivery (Photo – Marco Verch)

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced that applications are available, starting October 7, for those who want to start their own Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO).

By News Desk

A Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation is a food facility that is operated by a resident from their private kitchen. With a permit, a resident can store, handle, prepare, and serve food to the public, as allowed by state law, similar to a mini restaurant.

Permitting for the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) program will begin in Los Angeles County on November 1.

Applications will be available on the program’s website.

The program was announced by Los Angeles County Supervisors Hilda L. Solis, Holly J. Mitchell, and Janice Hahn, along with Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Public Health’s Environmental Health Division will authorize permits and conduct annual inspections and complaint-based investigations. Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations have requirements and limitations that an operator must follow.

Requirements

• No more than one full-time equivalent employee (combined hours of all employees does not exceed 40 hours a week), not including family members or household members, may work at the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation.
• The Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation operator needs a Certified Food Protection Manager certificate upon successfully passing the food safety exam from an approved and accredited organization and submit it with the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation application.
• Anyone involved in the operation must obtain a Food Handler Card Certificate from an approved California provider and submit it with the application or within 30 days after hire.
• Food needs to be prepared, cooked, and served or delivered on the same day it is made.

Prohibitions

• A Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation has a limitation on the number of meals they can sell, with a cap set at 30 meals per day or 90 meals per week, with a total revenue of $100,000 a year.
• Reselling food to other food facilities is not allowed.
• A Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation may not use a third-party delivery app such as Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubhub, DoorDash, etc., except as provided in the California Health & Safety Code.
• May not serve alcohol or food that contains alcohol without a license from the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Program.
• A Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation is not authorized to run a catering business.

> To learn more about the program or to apply, visit ph.lacounty.gov/mehko.