San Francisco Takes a Step Toward a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) Program

SAN FRANCISCO — On September 22,  Supervisor Jackie Fielder (District Ninth) introduced an ordinance to create a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) program in San Francisco, co-written with Supervisor Myrna Melgar (District Seventh). If approved, home cooks across the city could legally sell meals prepared in their own kitchens.

The announcement brought together community members, entrepreneurs, advocates, and nonprofit partners who have worked to bring MEHKOs to the city.

“San Francisco has an opportunity to create a more accessible pathway for residents who want to build a food business, earn income, and serve their communities, right from their own kitchens,” said Edwin Rodriguez, MEDA’s Associate Director of Business Development.

A proven model

Home kitchen food businesses already have a legal foundation in the California Retail Food Code, and cities and counties can choose to bring the program to their communities.

“MEHKO is not a new concept. The State of California established the legal framework for Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations through AB626 and AB1325,” said Jessica Rubio, MEDA’s Policy Director.

Since those laws passed, a coalition of community members, entrepreneurs, advocates, and partners has worked hard to make MEHKOs possible in San Francisco. MEHKOs are already authorized to operate in surrounding Bay Area counties.

Why it matters

For many of the families and entrepreneurs MEDA serves in the Mission and across San Francisco, the cost of commercial kitchen space is a major barrier to starting a food business. MEHKOs open the door.

A MEHKO program gives home cooks a safe and regulated way to turn their skills into income. It also brings home-cooked food from our communities to more neighbors, and helps keep local culinary traditions alive.

The event featured speakers who shared different perspectives: the economic opportunity MEHKOs create, the importance of a safe and regulated pathway, and the real experiences of people who want to build food businesses in San Francisco.

MEDA thanks Supervisor Jackie Fielder for introducing this legislation and Supervisor Myrna Melgar for co-writing it. We also salute the community partners who have worked alongside our entrepreneurs to make this program a reality: COOK Alliance, Calle 24, CLECHA, La Cocina, SF New Deal, Renaissance Center, the Mission Street Vendors Association, and Nuestra Causa.

Get involved

Thinking about starting a home kitchen business? MEDA’s Business Development program will provide assistance to residents interested in starting a MEHKO once the program is in place.

Want to help make it happen? Join the advocacy effort by emailing Jessica Rubio at jrubio@medasf.org.