Los Angeles County, through its Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Department of Public Health (DPH), has announced that over 100 Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) permits have been issued since the program’s launch in November 2024. This milestone highlights the county’s commitment to providing safe, legal, and inclusive opportunities for home-based culinary entrepreneurs to formalize their businesses.
Approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in May 2024, the MEHKO program enables residents to prepare and sell meals from their own home kitchens, fostering economic equity, entrepreneurship, and cultural expression across local communities.
A Transformative Step Toward Economic Inclusion
“Throughout my time as Supervisor, I have been committed to providing new economic opportunities to our most vulnerable communities,” said Chair Pro Tem Hilda L. Solis, Supervisor for the First District. “The MEHKO program is a transformative opportunity for residents—especially women, immigrants, and communities of color—to turn culinary passion into sustainable livelihoods.”
Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of dignity and inclusion in the local food economy: “For far too long, talented home cooks have been excluded from the formal economy. MEHKOs create a legal, supportive path for residents to thrive.”
How MEHKOs Work
MEHKOs are a new category of permitted retail food facility under State law and the LA County MEHKO Ordinance, allowing home cooks to:
- Serve up to 30 meals per day and 90 meals per week
- Maintain annual gross sales not exceeding $100,000
- Prepare, cook, and serve all meals from their residential kitchen
The DPH’s Environmental Health Division oversees inspections and compliance with California Health and Safety Code regulations to ensure food safety.
Additional Support and Training for Aspiring Operators
To reduce barriers to entry, the County is offering a one-time waiver of the $597 MEHKO application review fee for up to 1,000 eligible applicants. This subsidy, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), is available through June 30, 2026, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Aspiring home cooks can also join the COOK Academy, a free program by DPH and COOK Alliance, which offers:
- Food safety and compliance training
- Support in navigating the permitting process
- A $3,000 grant upon completion
Ongoing Outreach and Community Engagement
To broaden program awareness and encourage participation, DEO and DPH have partnered with Imagen Group to host MEHKO information sessions across LA County. These sessions provide guidance on permit applications, available subsidies, and COOK Academy enrollment, with options available in both English and Spanish.
Learn More
For full details about the MEHKO Ordinance and permit requirements, visit:
🔗 publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/business/microenterprise-home-kitchen-operation.htm
To explore support services, events, and MEHKO-related resources from DEO:
🔗 opportunity.lacounty.gov/mehko
