Build a strong regional food economy where communities and individuals prosper.
\From home-based cooks to food truck owners and co-op leaders, food entrepreneurs play a vital role in shaping a more just and resilient food system in Santa Clara County. Supporting these small businesses means investing in community wealth, cultural diversity, and economic opportunity. This work includes removing barriers, building shared infrastructure, and fostering networks that help local food businesses grow and thrive.
Types of Food Entrepreneurship
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations
MEHKOs allow individuals to run small-scale restaurants from their private residences. This makes it easier for home cooks and first-time entrepreneurs to enter the food economy by reducing start-up costs and offering a path into the formal business sector while providing a diverse array of food for community members.
Start your home-based food business by applying for a MEHKO permit.
CFOs are permitted to prepare and sell non-perishable, low-risk foods such as baked goods, jams, and snacks from home. They differ from MEHKOs in that they cannot sell perishable or time-sensitive items, and individuals can only operate one type (MEHKO or CFO), not both.
Launch your small-scale food business by applying for a CFO permit.
MFFs allow entrepreneurs to cook and sell food from trucks, carts, or trailers. This flexible business model enables them to serve food at events, on the street, or at private functions, allowing entrepreneurs to reach new diverse customer bases without the high overhead of a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
Start your mobile food business by applying for an MFF permit.
Food Cooperatives
Food co-ops are member-owned businesses that prioritize affordability, sustainability, and community collaboration. Members share equally in ownership, profits, and decision-making. Cooperatives promote locally sourced food and foster strong neighborhood ties.
Entrepreneur Profiles
Approved MEHKO and CFO locations in Santa Clara County
Explore where home-based food businesses are operating across the county. Use the zoom and layer tools to view details by zip code, income level, and permit type.
Community Kitchen Access
If you do not have enough space or are not licensed to produce food out of a home kitchen, community kitchen spaces are a great option. Community kitchens are rentable, clean, communal facilities where food can be prepared. Explore community kitchen locations in and around the South Bay using the map below, and visit the Kitchen Door for more information about each location.
Potential Food Buyers
Santa Clara County hospitals are purchasing fresh, sustainable food products from local entrepreneurs through the Good Food Purchasing Program. Explore the locations of these and other potential buyers of food products, such as tech companies and universities, by clicking on the pins on the map below.
Local Programs
Farmers Markets
Local farmers markets are a great way to make community connections, purchase fresh products and sell your own. Click on the pins on the map below or use this list to explore South Bay farmers market locations, hours, and website information.
Eastside Grown
Eastside Grown connects 20 local food entrepreneurs in San Jose with each other and with resources that support economic mobility, knowledge-sharing, and growth.
Veggielution Farm Stand
Open Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Veggielution Farm Stand offers fresh, affordable, locally grown produce from Veggielution’s farm in East San Jose. Staff and volunteers harvest weekly to meet community demand.
Resources
Learn how the COOK Alliance is working to legalize and support home cooking businesses, making culinary entrepreneurship more accessible and equitable
Connect with a national network of home cooks, advocates, and supporters through COOK Connect, a platform designed to share resources, opportunities, and community for MEHKO entrepreneurs
Retail Food Operations Compliance
Learn how to start or manage a food business in Santa Clara County, including permit requirements, inspection processes, and other resources