Opt-In and Implement AB 626 in Los Angeles County

Opt-In and Implement AB 626 in Los Angeles County

Started
March 27, 2020
Signatures: 639Next Goal: 1,000
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Why this petition matters

AB 626, the California Homemade Food Act

This petition is to urge Los Angeles County Boards of Supervisors, along with LA County Department of Public Health, to opt-in to the Homemade Food Operation Act (AB 626), which will legalize the sale of homecooked meals in the county and all the cities that fall under the LA County Department of Public Health. The opt-in will bring about economic inclusivity, public safety, and a new avenue to entrepreneurship for individuals who have been historically marginalized from these economic opportunities. It will help thousands of people recover financially from the economic impact being caused by the COVID19 pandemic.

NEED FOR URGENCY:

The COVID19 pandemic has impacted the US economy in an unprecedented way, leaving almost every sector at a loss. However, it has become evident that the restaurant industry is taking one of the largest blows, resulting in an estimated loss of $255 billion in the next three months, with over 7 million jobs lost, as reported by the National Restaurant Association. 

The National Restaurant Association conducted an initial survey of more than 4,000 restaurant owners, and an estimated 14% of operators may close their businesses permanently, even after the COVID19 lock down is lifted. Analysts estimate that this number will only increase as the crisis progresses, and will lead to millions of more lost jobs in the industry. 

Now is the time for LA County to catch up to the times, and embrace the gig and passion economy. Home kitchen operations allow individuals in the commercial food space to launch a turn-key income opportunity, directly from their home, in a safe and permitted way. If public health departments continue to ignore the growing cottage food industry, they are not only depriving constituents of an impactful economic opportunity, but further pushing individuals to continue selling food via other sources, such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. In fact, since the #stayathome order, there has been a large rise in social media posts by restaurant workers who are stuck at home, advertising their services and meals. A pathway towards legalization for home kitchen operations ensures that operators are compliant and follow food safety standards, which in turn, preserves public health and safety.

What’s At Stake

For as long as counties do not opt-in, thousands of cooks in our communities will continue to lack access to economic opportunities within the food industry and create further disparity in access, opportunity and income.  Currently, LA residents selling homecooked meals may be charged with a misdemeanour.  New pathways to entrepreneurship will remain out of reach for underserved populations — including single parents, recent immigrants, and the financially insecure. Public health risks to consumers that currently exist from the informal food economy will continue to go unchecked. 

Passing a resolution to launch Micro Enterprise Kitchen Operations in Los Angeles County will be life changing for thousands of residents across the region, and provide the much needed jobs and income our displaced restaurant workers will need in the near future. 

Background

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and LA County Department of Public Health have dragged their feet in opting-in and implementing AB626 since 2018.

In September of 2018, Governor Brown signed AB 626 into law, permitting the small-scale sale of meals from home kitchens, improving public health safeguards around the existing informal food economy, and legitimizing an important level of economic empowerment for immigrant, minority, and other vulnerable communities.  

AB 377, the Clean-Up Bill for AB 626

AB 377 passed and was signed into law on October 7, 2019, addressing a few issues from AB 626, by specifically clarifying the following:

  • Jurisdiction details: clarifies that if a county authorizes the permitting of microenterprise home kitchen operations, the authorization shall apply to all areas within its jurisdiction, including being applicable to all cities within a county that authorizes microenterprise home kitchen operations, regardless of whether each city located within the jurisdiction of the county separately authorizes them.
  • Food Safety details: provides specifics, such as wood may be used in the kitchen, as long as it is hard wood; or service animals must not be in the kitchen during operations.
  • Permitting details: for example, days and times of operation stated on the permit are non-binding
  • Inspection details: clarifies there are three types of investigations: routine, investigational, and emergency.
  • Food Delivery details: clarifies that 3rd party delivery is allowable for users who have a physical or mental condition that limits their individual ability to access the food without assistance.

Since the passage of AB377, only Riverside County has implemented AB 626 in May 2019, and has since granted 51 MEHKO permits. In January 2020, Santa Barbara and Solano county board of supervisors passed a resolution for opting in to AB 626, and are expected to start issuing MEHKO permits soon.

(View Los Angeles Fact Sheet here)

This petition calls on Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to opt in to AB 626, which will help thousands of people recover financially from the economic impact being caused by the COVID19 pandemic.

Sign this petition to send your message to your LA County Board of Supervisors and the LA County Department of Health representatives urging them for immediate opt-in to AB626!

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Signatures: 639Next Goal: 1,000
Support now
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