By Brittney Sherman
Residents of private homes will soon be able to operate mini restaurants from their own kitchens through Santa Clara County’s Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO). This (3) year pilot program, expected to launch in Spring 2023, will allow residents to prepare, cook, and sell food from a private home kitchen, without many of the challenges and cost associated with cottage food and catering licenses.
MEHKOs are only allowed to produce a maximum of (30) meals per day and (60) meals per week, employ one full-time employee besides the owner, and can earn no more than $54,310 in annual gross sales. Meals can be either donated or sold, and are approved for pick-up, delivery, and on-site consumption. MEHKOs are subject to one scheduled annual inspection and cannot operate concurrently as a caterer, cottage food operator, or wholesaler. The County hopes that the MEKHO program will open new pathways to food entrepreneurship, especially for underserved populations.
The creation of the MEHKO pilot program is in accordance with the passage of Assembly Bill 626 in 2018, authorizing California counties the option to allow MEHKOs in their jurisdiction. Learn more about the MEKHO Pilot Program HERE.
Have questions? Contact City of Morgan Hill Economic Development Director Matt Mahood at Matt.Mahood@morganhill.ca.gov