Richmond launches mobile food vendor program to support local businesses
The City of Richmond, in partnership with the Richmond Farmers Market, unveiled its new Mobile Vendor Program on Saturday, Macdonald Avenue near the Richmond Bart Station.
The initiative aims to help local street vendors grow their businesses while complying with health regulations and promoting the possibility of expanding into brick-and-mortar establishments.
The marketplace will be open every Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., offering various food options, from tacos and pupusas to Lao sausages and pad thai. The program is seen as a unique opportunity for street vendors to legitimize their operations while serving the local community.
Aaron Coleman, manager of the Richmond Certified Farmers Market, said the project is a collaboration between the city, the county, and the Richmond Farmers Market to help street vendors meet health code standards and possibly pursue their dream of opening a physical location.
On its opening day, nine vendors were in attendance, with the city planning to permit up to 21 in the near future.
“This grand opening will be a test, and we’re excited to see it grow in the coming weeks,” Coleman said.
In July 2024, the Richmond, California City Council adopted a Sidewalk Vending Ordinance to establish a permit system and create a vendor plaza program to ensure compliance with state law. City officials had been inundated with complaints about vendors operating without proper health permits and obstructing streets and sidewalks.
Soren Hemmila
This issue has been further complicated by the passage of California State law SB 946, which decriminalized street vending throughout the state. As a result, municipalities such as Richmond now have limited authority to enforce laws against street vending.
State law allows cities to require a special permit or license, and all food preparation must comply with state and local licensing regulations. The city can also set reasonable restrictions and ensure vendors are located on sidewalks and not within parking strips.
The plaza provides a safe, regulated space for street vendors and includes restrooms, water sanitation stations, and covered areas for food safety.
Local vendor Tea Chaiyasith, who owns a restaurant in Oakland, participated in Saturday’s launch. Chaiyasith started at the Sunday Farmers Market in Marina Bay but wanted to try something new. His stall features a fusion of Laotian and Thai cuisine, including garlic noodles, curry, and pad Thai.
“This is something my wife and I like to do, and we just want to go out to try something different instead of being left in one place,” Chaiyasith said.
For more information about the Mobile Vendor Program, contact Program Operator Thomas Cloman at chkheart@aol.com or (510) 406-1360 or visit www.richmondca.gov/4685.
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