By: Andrés Brender
The idea is to begin with 100 permits per year, with a limit of 30 meals per day that must be prepared and sold on the same day.
Marin County has approved a pilot program to support people who sell homemade food on the street.
The program, called MEHKO, will operate for three years, allowing these vendors to sell food safely while complying with county and state permit and safety requirements.
“Opening a restaurant or renting a commercial kitchen in this area costs a lot of money, and for many people, that is a significant barrier,” said Ayram Blanco of Marin County Consumer Protection.
The plan is to begin with 100 permits per year, with a limit of 30 meals per day, all of which must be prepared and sold on the same day.
“They must submit an application to our office; we review it and inspect the kitchen in their home,” Blanco said.
According to Blanco, one of the areas that stands to benefit the most from the county’s program is Canal Street, where 84% of residents are Latino and many are low-income.
“This is a great first step, but it won’t be enough on its own. If the goal is truly to serve low-income entrepreneurs, they will need additional support, such as access to capital and technical assistance,” said Omar Carrera, spokesperson for Canal Alliance.
“We want this opportunity to reach the communities that need it most. Thirty of the 100 permits will be reserved for entrepreneurs from communities that have historically lacked access to these opportunities,” Blanco said.
Applications for the program, which begins on March 1, 2027, are not yet being accepted, but training workshops will be offered in advance.
