Brief Overview of Mehko

California bill (assembly bill no. 626) signed into law on September 18, 2018 establishes a new legal entity called microenterprise home kitchen operation or simply mehko as a new type of retail food facility. In other words, individuals can operate a ‘restaurant’ in their private residence. However unlike a traditional restaurant, there are certain restrictions…

List of Local Environmental Health Agencies

If you are wondering how to apply for a mehko permit we would recommend contacting your local environmental health agency. We have done some of the homework for you and compiled the following list of local environmental health agencies and their respected phone number or other type of contact information. Is your Local Environmental Health…

New California bill expands microenterprise home kitchen operations

Source: https://fox5sandiego.com/news/california-news/new-california-bill-expands-microenterprise-home-kitchen-operations/ SAN DIEGO — A group of activists and home cooking entrepreneurs are celebrating the passage of a new California bill that will dramatically increase their ability to make a living selling food prepared in their kitchens at home. Assembly Bill 1325, which was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on July 21, will allow people…

San Diego – County unanimously votes to expand microenterprise home kitchen program

Source: https://fox5sandiego.com/news/business/county-unanimously-votes-to-expand-microenterprise-home-kitchen-program/ SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to make permanent a program supporting home cooking enterprises as a small business that was set to sunset next year. The two-year program, which will expire in February, allowed residents to obtain permits to operate Microenterprise Home Kitchens (MEHKO) — a…

Recidivism and the Micro Home Restaurant

Recidivism and the Micro Home Restaurant May 17, 2021 By: Chef Mikey ® Garahan michael@chefmikey.org Surprise, Surprise, Surprise, is one of Gomer Pyle’s most famous sayings from the 60’s TV comedy. It’s no surprise the $28.6 billion allocated this May 2021 to aid socially and economically disadvantaged business owners of independent restaurants is not enough.…

Santa Barbara is on Board!

Despite objections from cities, chambers of commerce and restaurant owners, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance to allow microenterprise home kitchen operations in a split vote Tuesday. Supervisors adopted the ordinance that will allow the operations, known as MEHKOs, countywide on a 3-2 vote, with Chairman and 4th District Supervisor Bob…

List of California Counties that have Approved MEHKO Operations

Riverside County Riverside County is accepting application for MEHKO’s. Feel free to reach out to Riverside County directly. “To reach Riverside County Environmental Health staff by telephone during office hours (Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:30pm PST) please call us toll free at (888) 722-4234.” Visit The Riverside County Department of Environmental Health Website: http://rivcoeh.org/ or more specifically http://rivcoeh.org/Programs/homebased_kitchen_operations Solano…

CHAPTER 11.6. 2019 California Food Retail Code

CHAPTER 11.6. Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation 114367. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the governing body of a city or county, or city and county, shall have full discretion to authorize, by ordinance or resolution, the permitting of microenterprise home kitchen operations in accordance with this chapter. (b) A permit issued by a county…