Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations can offer meals for dine-in, delivery and takeout and with limits, in addition to Cottage Food Operations already allowed

By Contra Costa Health

Contra Costa residents interested in selling home-cooked food to the public can now get a health permit to do so, an affordable option for entrepreneurs that ensures the safety of their customers.

Beginning July 1, Contra Costa Health (CCH) offers a new type of food permit for small-scale, home-based restaurants operated inside private homes by their residents. Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) can offer meals for dine-in, delivery and takeout. MEHKOs can offer meals for dine-in, take-out, and/or delivery, and can also be used as a commissary for permitted food carts.

“By providing this option we ensure that people who sell food out of their homes do so in a safe manner that protects the health of our community,” said Federal Glover, chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. “We also open the door for neighborhood businesses, and for more access to healthy, nutritious food in areas where options may be limited.”

The board unanimously adopted an ordinance in May authorizing the county to offer the permit under terms of a 2018 state law. Several other Bay Area jurisdictions already do so, including Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Solano counties, and the City of Berkeley.

The permit allows meals to be stored, handled, and prepared to be served or delivered in a private residence. Most other food permits require a commercial kitchen in a restaurant or similar facility.

A permitted home can also serve as a space to prepare food for sale on street carts, a requirement to obtain a cart vendor health permit that has proven to be a significant barrier in Contra Costa.

As with holders of standard commercial food permits, MEHKO permit holders must meet requirements relating both to the spaces where their businesses operate and the food-safety training of operators. CCH will inspect each permit holder annually or more often.

The MEHKO permits do limit the holder to selling no more than 30 meals per day and 90 meals per week, and no more than $100,000 in gross annual sales. There are also some limitations regarding the type of food that may be served.

CCH will schedule workshops throughout the county later this year for potential applicants.

“This permit is great for new entrepreneurs who are just getting started,” CCH Environmental Health Director Kristian Lucas said. “It’s also a way for the public to know that a seller advertising on social media is complying with food safety regulations.”

MEHKO permit holders will be required to display their permits at their homes, and their health inspection records will be available to the public at cchealth.org.

Cottage Food Operations Already Allowed

Contra Costa Health offers two kinds of permits for home-based food operations. In addition, to the new MEHKO, the county also allows Cottage Food Operations (CFO) which “is a home-based operation that allows limited amounts of certain foods to be prepared in a home kitchen for retail sale. A CFO can prepare and package non-potentially hazardous foods from home. The California Department of Public Health maintains a listing of foods approved to be sold from a private residence. Some examples of these foods include cookies, candies, jams/jellies, muffins, cakes, and pies. Only foods on the state listing are approved as cottage food products.

According to the California Department of Public Health Food and Drug Branch, “There are two different classes of CFO’s:

Class A: This type of CFO can sell home-kitchen prepared foods directly to the public. This includes transactions made via the phone, internet, and any other digital method. A direct sale may be fulfilled in person, via mail delivery, or using any other third-party delivery service. A Class A operator’s current maximum gross annual sales are $75,000.

Class B: This type of CFO can sell home-kitchen prepared foods directly to the public or indirectly through restaurants and food markets. A direct sale may be fulfilled in person, via mail delivery, or using any other third-party delivery service. An indirect sale may be fulfilled in person, via mail delivery, or third-party delivery service. The current gross annual sales for a Class B operator are $150,000.

In Antioch, home-based business owners are also required to obtain a Home Occupation Use Permit from the City.

For more information about the new and CFO permits, including how to apply, visit cchealth.org/homekitchens.

Live entertainment and the best seats for the fireworks show over the river

Come celebrate America’s Independence Day with us this Thursday, July 4th!! Monica’s Riverview will be open ALL DAY!!!
Brunch and lunch menu ’til 5pm. Cuco’s Tacos on the river side from 4-9 pm!

Entertainment starts at 2:30 pm
Old School DJs 2:30-5:30 pm
Ariel Marin Music with Full Motown Band 5:30-8:30 pm

Exclusive outdoor seating on the river to view the fireworks!!

Entry is $10 for adults $5 for kids, includes beverage ticket

Monica’s Riverview is located at 1 I (eye) Street on the pier in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown. For menu and more information see www.visitmonica’s.com.

Paid advertisement.

Lumpy’s Diner Spring Car Show hosted by the Midnighters Nor Cal Car Club. Car registration is from 8am-10am. First come, first served. Registration fee is $30 at the Midnighters booth. Open to all years, makes and models. Show starts at 10am and awards at 2pm.

Come out and join the community to enjoy all the beautiful cars, vendors, music and delicious food!

Lumpy’s Diner is located at 5891 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. See you there!

Parade, Live Music by Universal Soul and fan favorite Foreverland, Kids Zone, Dunk Tank Fundraiser, Food Trucks or Dine at local restaurants in historic, downtown

Parade entries, Dunk Tank participation deadline: June 24

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Join the City of Antioch in celebrating America’s 248th Independence Day in our historic, downtown Rivertown. Set up along W. 2nd and W. 3rd Streets. before 4:00 PM to watch our annual 4th of July Parade pass by. Visit Waldie Plaza to experience live entertainment and enjoy local food vendors and trucks.

Have an exciting time with friends and family in the Kids Zone located at City Hall, before picking your spot to see the big fireworks show at dusk.

Celebration Site

The main celebration site will take place in Waldie Plaza and the parking lot of City Hall, encompassing W. 2nd to W. 3rd Streets and G to I Sreets. There are many occurrences within the celebration site including a live entertainment stage, local vendors, Kids Zone, food trucks – or dine at one of the restaurants in the Rivertown Dining District, DJ stage and much more.

Parade Route

The parade will begin at the intersection of W. 2nd and E Streets at 4:00 PM. The Judge’s Station will be located at the center of Waldie Plaza. A second parade performance stop will be on W. 3rd Street next to City Hall. We will finish the parade on W. 3rd Street at the corner of D Street.

Register for the Fourth of July Parade

Parade Entry Information

Independence Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate our community spirit than by joining our annual Fourth of July parade! Whether you’re young or young at heart, a solo walker or part of a group, this parade is for everyone! From classic cars and colorful floats to decorated bicycles and festive performances, let your creativity shine as we come together as a community to celebrate this Fourth of July! The deadline to submit parade applications is Monday, June 24th.

For more information and to register to enter the parade, here. There is no entry fee; participation is free.

Live Entertainment – Universal Soul and Foreverland

Universal Soul

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KxyGB-bOIco
Also known as the House Band for the Golden State Warriors, Universal Soul is known for their ability to excite a crowd with their soulful and lively performances. Consisting of lead singer, Leah Marie Vox, George Epps on keys, Dante’ TAZ on the drums, and Brain Turner on the bass, Universal soul is just the group to kick off our Fourth of July Celebration!

Foreverland – The Electrifying Tribute to Michael Jackson returns to Antioch!

https://foreverland.com/
Since 2009, Foreverland has been mesmerizing audiences around the country with their larger-than-life tribute to the one and only Michael Jackson. Featuring three dynamic vocalists, a powerhouse rhythm section, and the hardest working horn section in the biz, Foreverland recreates hits from the Jackson 5 era through the end of Michael’s incredible career in a way that honors the King of Pop’s musical genius and legendary showmanship like no other tribute band has ever done.” Read more about Foreverland when you click here.

Dunk Tank Fundraiser Participation & Information

Sign Up to Take the Plunge!

What better way to celebrate Independence Day than by making a splash and raising funds for a fantastic cause?! By participating in our Dunk Tank event, you’ll not only have a blast but also contribute to providing scholarships for youth and adults to participate in recreational activities they might not otherwise have access to. Not interested in sitting in the tank? Get involved by donating to the cause! As you attend our Fourth of July Celebration, stop by the Kids Zone to take your turn trying to sink the sitter! Cheer on our throwers and our volunteers as we raise money to continue to provide recreational opportunities for residents, young and young at heart! The deadline to sign up to take the plunge is Monday, June 24th.

ENTRY

Participation is free. Participants must submit TWO preferred timeslot options and a signed general liability waiver by June 24, 2024 to confirm their spot. Late entries will only be considered if availability allows. No sign-ups will be accepted on the day of the event.

WHERE

City Hall parking lot (200 H Street, Antioch CA 94509). Participants should report to the recreation bus and canopy (located at the east side of city hall’s parking lot) 5-10 minutes before their sitting timeslot to receive their towel before heading to the dunk tank to take their seat.

GUIDELINES

The City of Antioch is committed to providing a safe, family-friendly environment where all people are treated with kindness and respect. We ask all participants to adhere to these guidelines:

1. ALL DUNK TANK PARTICIPANTS ARE ASKED TO WEAR A T-SHIRT AND SHORTS. No bare chests, bikinis, or speedos as staff and members of the public may take photos and record dunk tank activities.

2. Participants are not to engage in any vulgar, offensive, or sexually suggestive gestures or comments while sitting in, entering, or exiting the dunk tank.

3. Spectators are prohibited from engaging in any vulgar, offensive, or sexually suggestive gestures or comments toward sitting participants. Spectators MAY NOT throw balls or other objects at sitting contestants. Spectators who are unable to follow these rules, forfeit their remaining ball throws and will be removed from participating in the dunk tank fundraiser.

SAFETY

For the safety of sitting dunk tank participants, the tank is covered by a metal cage to prevent the possibility of being struck by a thrown ball. Recreation staff and security will be readily available to handle any potential restricted actions by dunk tank participants and/or spectators.

The tank will be filled with approximately 500 gallons of water and has a weight capacity of 250 lbs.

All ball throws will be taken from a minimum of 10ft away from the target for youth 12 & under and a maximum of 20ft away for those 13+ years of age.

Register for the Dunk Tank, here.

Antioch July 4th Schedule of Events
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM	Parade
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Kids Zone
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM	Live Entertainment | Universal Soul
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM	Kids Zone Stage
7:00 PM	Announcement of Parade Winners
7:15 PM – 9:15 PM	Live Entertainment | Foreverland
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM	Kids Zone Stage
9:20 PM – 9:40 PM	Fireworks Show
Times subject to change

Make your reservations for Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, today!

Deadline for tickets: Monday, April 29

Join in on the 73rd National Day of Prayer as prayers are offered for our nation, state, cities & communities, schools, churches, families & youth, homeless & others in need, military & veterans, first responders, hospitals & medical personnel and businesses.

Space is limited to the first 85 attendees. RSVP and purchase tickets for $32.50 which includes tax and tip, at eventbrite. No profit is being earned from the sale of tickets as all proceeds will be paid to the restaurant.

For more information about the NAACP East County Branch visit www.eastcountynaacp.org.