The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has expanded its Sidewalk Vending Cart Program by accepting applications for new raw-to-cooked carts. This initiative offers 30 additional food vendors access to carts designed to safely store, handle, and cook raw ingredients on-site, providing a legal compliance path for entrepreneurs who previously lacked approved equipment to secure health permits. Across Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City, the program now supports a total of 341 available carts.
Carts are provided at no cost to qualified vendors who successfully complete program requirements and obtain applicable permits. The program also offers small grants to help subsidize permitting and operating costs. For food vendors in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County who are conditionally awarded specific food cart models (fruit, hot-holding, cold-holding, or integrated grill carts, excluding raw-to-cooked models), a $5,000 grant may be available to cover operational costs and permitting fees. These fees include the Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate (SVRC) and the Compact Mobile Food Operator (CMFO) health permit. Applications remain open while limited cart inventory and grant funding last.
To ease the regulatory burden, the DEO is partnering with Inclusive Action for the City to offer one-on-one assistance. This support helps vendors complete food handler training, navigate commissary space requirements, apply for Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) permits, and secure a 75 percent CMFO permit subsidy through the DEO.
Merchandise vendors who sell non-food goods in unincorporated Los Angeles County can also access technical assistance and apply for grants of up to $500.
The practical takeaway
To qualify for the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program and associated grants, applicants must be current sidewalk vendors operating in unincorporated Los Angeles County for at least 12 months at the time of application. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old, reside in Los Angeles County, be the sole owner of the business, and have a gross annual household income of $75,000 or less. Menus and food operations remain subject to approval by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.