Long Beach Health and Human Services is seeking public input on allowing Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) citywide with its new feasibility study.
MEHKOs are small-scale food businesses that permit individuals to prepare and sell home-cooked meals from their residential kitchens while adhering to food safety standards. This includes sales caps, meal volume restrictions and approved food handling practices.
A primary element of MEHKOs is they create an affordable way for home-based chefs and entrepreneurs to operate food businesses and create meals that showcase culinary diversity.
The Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation Public Survey can be taken online now through Feb. 28 in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. Community members without regular access to a computer or smartphone may access the survey through a public computer lab at any Long Beach Public Library location during business hours.
The Long Beach City Council approved $88,596 in appropriations from the State of California on June 11, 2024 to implement the MEHKO feasibility study.
In the spring, the survey results — including community and inter-departmental input, along with proposed policy recommendations — will be introduced to the City Council.
To learn more about Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations, visit longbeach.gov/mehko.