L.A. County will be giving away over 280 free health-code compliant food carts, in an effort to support local street vendors

Part of a collaboration between the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD), the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program will invest $2.8 million in giving away more than 280 free health-code-compliant food carts.

In L.A. County, legal street food vending has undergone significant changes to many of its regulations. From the Senate Bill 946 (Safe Sidewalk Act) in 2018, which decriminalized sidewalk vending, to Senate Bill 972 in 2023 and the creation of the Compact Mobile Food Operation (CMFO) permit, rules and regulations regarding mobile food vending have been ever-changing.

According to a release published by the L.A. County DEO on Monday, new costs these regulations have placed on vendors have made it difficult for many to afford to legally run their businesses.

“The cart giveaway is part of a broader effort by the County to support low-income entrepreneurs and strengthen economic inclusion,” it stated.

Cart types available through this program will include hot-holding, cold-holding, cut-fruit, and integrated grill models. The County has made agreements with three local manufacturers in order to produce and distribute these models, all of which meet public health standards under CMFO classifications.

Currently, 50 hot-holding and 30 cold-holding carts will be awarded to the first round of chosen applicants, with 40 integrated grill types on the way.

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must be:

— 18 years of age or older,

— live in L.A. County,

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— be self-employed as a sidewalk vendor,

— earn less than $75,000 annually from vending,

— operate within either unincorporated L.A. County or the City of L.A.,

— and commit fully to public health and safety regulations.

“The sidewalk vending movement was built by working families, microentrepreneurs, and immigrants who never stopped showing up for their communities, even when the system was not built for them,” Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell stated in the news release.

“Today we are changing that story. By providing free, health code compliant carts and removing cost barriers, we are making sure our laws come with real pathways for vendors to thrive in the formal economy. This is what inclusive economic development looks like. We meet people where they are, honor their work, and invest in their success,” she added.

Kelly LoBianco, Director of the L.A. County DEO added that economic equity was a main focus of the program, besides providing the free equipment to those who need it: “Sidewalk vendors are vital to our communities, culture, and local economies. With this effort, we are making it possible for hundreds of hard-working vendors to operate safely, legally, and sustainably.”