LA County Hosts Fair to Help Launch Small Food Businesses

Resource event focuses on home kitchens and mobile food operations programs

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:21am

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A carefully arranged studio still life featuring a selection of premium kitchen tools and ingredients, symbolizing the resources available to aspiring food entrepreneurs through the county's programs.The county's resource fair provided hands-on assistance and support to help local food entrepreneurs navigate the path to launching their small businesses.Santa Monica Today

Los Angeles County officials hosted a resource fair at Ted Watkins Park to support residents interested in launching or growing small food businesses. The event provided assistance with the county's Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) and Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) programs, which aim to ease barriers for aspiring food entrepreneurs while upholding public health standards.

Why it matters

By formalizing home-based and mobile food operations, the county is attempting to balance economic empowerment with public safety, potentially reducing the risks associated with unregulated food preparation and sales. Officials believe that integrating operators into a regulated system will help minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

The details

The resource fair offered hands-on assistance, workshops in English and Spanish, and support with applications and fee subsidies. The MEHKO program, authorized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2024, allows residents to legally operate small-scale food businesses from their home kitchens. The county has already issued 319 MEHKO permits after receiving over 500 applications.

  • The resource fair was held on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • The MEHKO program was authorized by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2024.

The players

Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell

A Los Angeles County Supervisor who emphasized the connection between economic opportunity and public health.

Barbara Ferrer

The director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, who explained that the programs are designed to remove obstacles for aspiring entrepreneurs while upholding public health standards.

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What they’re saying

“In the Second District, we know that economic opportunity and public health go hand in hand.”

— Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Supervisor

“Barriers that limit their ability to be part of the local business community in a safe and compliant way.”

— Barbara Ferrer, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

What’s next

As the county continues to process applications and issue permits, it's likely that more residents will be able to legally operate small food businesses from their homes or through mobile vending. The success of these programs could lead to further initiatives aimed at supporting local entrepreneurship and bolstering public health.

The takeaway

The resource fair highlights Los Angeles County's efforts to empower local food entrepreneurs while maintaining public health standards. By formalizing home-based and mobile food operations, the county aims to balance economic opportunity with safety, potentially reducing the risks associated with unregulated food preparation and sales.