Santa Barbara County Plans Tougher Actions on Illegal Food Vendors
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. (KEYT) - The proliferation of illegal food vendors in Santa Barbara County has been a challenge for government leaders for several years, but new plans could bring the situation under control.
The county is discussing more enforcement combined with an outreach to the public. In that communication the county will have public service announcements explaining that street kitchens have food that is transported without appropriate refrigeration or warming storage equipment.
Restaurants near the pop-up street kitchens have also complained about unfair business operations. Those owners claim the street operators do not have approved permits, health inspections, or fire prevention equipment.
They also say there is an economic impact on local businesses who are paying annual fees and going through inspections required by law.
The county plans include:
- Alert the public to health risks of consuming food from unlawful
vendors (e.g., foodborne illness and pest contamination) - County PIO will conduct six-month multifaceted media campaign
- Digital and social media
- Earned media (e.g., press releases in local newspapers)
- Example Public Service Announcement (PSA)
The county says the restrictions will not impact Compact Mobile Food operations. Those include smaller fruit vending or ice cream carts.
(More details, photos and video will be added later today.)
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