LA Sidewalk Vending Program Funds 281 Free Food Carts

A new LA sidewalk vending support program is launching as the City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County begin providing free, health-compliant food carts to street food vendors.

CNBC reported on the 13th [month not specified] that the initiative is intended “to lower entry barriers for small self-employed vendors and expand legal operations.”

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) announced that they will invest a total of $2.8 million to operate the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program.

Under the program, 281 food carts will be distributed at no cost. Of these, 180 carts will go to vendors operating in unincorporated areas of the county, while 101 will be provided to sidewalk vendors within the City of Los Angeles. The carts meet state public health standards and are equipped for hot food storage, refrigeration, fruit preparation, and grilling. Three manufacturers supply the carts, all of which meet public health requirements.

Financial support accompanies the cart distribution. The annual sidewalk vending registration fee of $604 will be fully waived for the first two years. In the third year, $100 will be discounted.

In addition, vendors who must newly obtain a Compact Mobile Food Operation [permit category] can receive subsidies of up to 75% on annual fees ranging from $126 to $592, depending on the type of food sold.

California legalized sidewalk vending under SB 946 (a 2018 state law that legalized sidewalk vending). However, critics have noted that recurring permit fees and the cost of purchasing carts remain significant barriers for low-income vendors.

Eligibility requirements include:
▶ Age 18 or older
▶ Residency in Los Angeles County
▶ Operation within City of Los Angeles or Los Angeles County jurisdictions
▶ Status as a sidewalk vendor
▶ Annual income under $75,000
▶ Agreement to comply with public health and safety regulations

Applications are submitted online. Reviews are conducted monthly to determine recipients and cart types. Vendors working in high-demand areas are given priority, while remaining recipients are selected by lottery. From approval to cart delivery, the process may take up to 12 weeks.

Officials said, “Our goal is to foster a legal and safe sidewalk vending market that energizes the local economy and provides real opportunities for low-income self-employed vendors.”

By Eun Young Lee
lee.eunyoung6@koreadaily.com