Calling All Restaurants and Kitchen Space Owners in LA County: Empower Sidewalk Vendors & Strengthen Our Local Economy
by Business Formalization Associate, Bianca Molina & Technical Assistant Associate Jacqueline Ramales
Los Angeles is powered by its people – entrepreneurs, culture keepers, and small business owners who turn their passion into their livelihood. And some of the most iconic flavors in this city? They’re coming straight from our streets.
Food Justice and Equity Hospitality Folks - We Need You! Whether you run a restaurant, commissary, or work in food—this is your chance to be part of a growing movement that’s building a more just, local food economy and creating new revenue streams for your business.
At Inclusive Action for the City, we believe in building a Los Angeles where economic opportunity is truly accessible to all. We work hand-in-hand with sidewalk vendors – many of whom are immigrants and women of color – supporting them in formalizing their businesses and claiming their rightful place in our economy. Now, we’re calling on YOU to be part of this transformational work.
We’re inviting mission-driven restaurant and commissary owners across LA County to partner with us and open your commercial kitchens to sidewalk food vendors ready to take the next step.
We’re looking for partners who believe in an LA that works for everyone. If your business values community, equity, and collaboration, then this is your moment to act.
Here’s What We Need from Our Partners:
Must be located in Los Angeles County
Must be in full compliance with LA County Department of Public Health codes
Must be mission-driven and ready to support community-based entrepreneurs
Must offer reasonably priced rental rates in line with the program’s goals
Provide fixed rent with a minimum 6-month lease
Fixed schedule to ensure reliability and business success for both your business and the vendor
| Restaurant Kitchens | Commissaries / Commercial Kitchens |
|---|---|
| Prep Space: Table, Sink, and Refrigeration | Prep Space: Table, Sink, and Refrigeration |
| Cooking Space* | Cooking Space* |
| Dishwashing Station / Equipment Washing | Dishwashing Station / Food Cart Washing |
| Storage | Cart Storage & Equipment Storage |
| Ideal for Closed / Non- Operating Hours | Hours: During Off - Peak Hours |
| Food Cart Covered Parking Spot | Food Cart Covered Parking Spot |
*In order to operate formally in Los Angeles County, vendors must prepare and store food in a licensed commissary or commercial kitchen that meets strict Department of Public Health standards.
Why This Matters – For You and for LA
This partnership prioritizes:
Expanding access to approved food facility storage and preparation spaces
Encouraging mission-aligned partners to provide affordable and accessible commissary options
Creating on-ramps to the formal economy for street vendors facing historic barriers to entry
Why Join?
Earn additional income by activating unused kitchen hours
Support a sidewalk vendor’s dream of launching a legal, thriving food business
Strengthen our city’s economy from the ground up
Be part of a movement rooted in dignity, inclusion, and community power
Our goal is to partner with restaurants and commissaries and provide permitted kitchen spaces to street vendors – tackling one of the biggest barriers vendors face: access to affordable, approved kitchen space.
Most traditional commissaries are too expensive, too far, or already at capacity. That’s why this effort is so important. We're working to expand kitchen access, connect vendors with mission-aligned kitchen partners, and pave a pathway to formalization for vendors who’ve long been shut out of the system.
Affordable, accessible kitchens aren’t just a requirement – they’re a launchpad. They give vendors the chance to comply with the law, grow their businesses, and continue serving our neighborhoods with the food and culture that make LA unique.
Partner Vision & Alignment: Building Together
This work is about more than just renting out kitchen space – it’s about sharing a vision.
The power of this pilot relies on partnership and community. Together, we can co-create systems that uplift working-class entrepreneurs, celebrate culinary diversity, and make sure no one is left behind in our city’s food economy.
We know that change doesn’t happen alone. It happens when mission-aligned businesses, advocates, and local leaders come together to build something bigger than themselves.
Want to Learn More or Become a Kitchen Partner?
Contact us today to take the first step. Let’s work together to make LA a city where every small business – no matter where it starts – has a chance to grow.
Interested in supporting this work another way? Consider donating or volunteering to help us expand our reach and impact.
Spread the word!
Know a restaurant or commissary that could be a good fit? Share this blog and help us spread the word – because building an inclusive economy takes all of us. The more kitchens we connect, the more vendors we can uplift.
About the Street Vendor Pilot Program
In alignment with this work, LA County’s Street Vendor Pilot Program is helping pave a legal pathway for sidewalk vendors to thrive in the open-air economy. Launched by the County’s Department of Economic Opportunity, the program focuses on breaking down barriers – like permitting, cart access, and compliance – through hands-on support, workshops, and resources tailored specifically for street vendors. By offering education, affordable equipment, and connections to business assistance, the pilot is helping vendors navigate the formal system while preserving the cultural and economic vibrancy they bring to our communities.
More Resources:
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/docs/permit/commissary-guidance-facility-owners.pdf
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/business/shared-kitchen-complex.htm