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Figure 1. Street vending has very low start-up costs.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nToday, regulation of street vending tends to disproportionately affect immigrant and low-income communities, for a few reasons. First, street vending is a way for immigrants and low-income individuals to start their own businesses and earn a living with extremely low start-up costs. With limited access to employment opportunities that pay a living wage, street vending can provide a way for people to make ends meet and support themselves and their families. When street vending is criminalized, it takes away this opportunity for economic empowerment.<\/p>\r\n
Second, enforcement of anti-vending laws has sometimes been targeted at certain communities, particularly those with large immigrant populations. This can lead to harassment, fines, and even arrests for street vendors. These consequences can be financially and emotionally devastating, particularly for those who are already financially struggling. For undocumented immigrants, any kind of interaction with law enforcement can be traumatic due to worries about their immigration status.<\/p>\r\n
Finally, the lack of legal recognition for street vending can also limit access to affordable and culturally diverse food options in certain neighborhoods. In many low-income and immigrant communities, street vendors are an important source of affordable and culturally relevant food. Their presence can contribute to the vibrancy of local communities, creating a hub of activity for local residents.[footnote]Matthew, Zoie. \u201cThe Fight for L.A.\u2019s Street Food Vendors.\u201d Eater, March 30, 2022. https:\/\/www.eater.com\/23002362\/los-angeles-street-vendors-permit-california-street-vendor-campaign[\/footnote]<\/p>\r\n
Due to fears that criminal charges for street vending could lead to deportation action by the federal government, California legalized street vending across the state, with the new law allowing cities and counties to create permit programs for vendors.[footnote]KTVU FOX 2. \u201cNew California Law to Help Sidewalk Vendors Operate Legally,\u201d February 1, 2001. https:\/\/www.ktvu.com\/news\/new-california-law-to-help-sidewalk-vendors-operate-legally[\/footnote] However, state public health laws make it very difficult for street vendors to get the permits they need to legally sell food because the permitting process requires expensive cart setups (e.g. a three-basin sink and 20 gallons of water on hand at all times) and prohibits some activities such as reheating food or cutting fruit.[footnote]Matthew, \u201cThe Fight for L.A.\u2019s Street Food Vendors.\u201d[\/footnote] These requirements are cost prohibitive for someone selling pre-prepared tamales or cups of chili-topped fruits from a shopping cart. Activists support changing the existing law to add a new category of \"compact\" mobile food vendors and allowing them to use cottage food laws that would permit the use of home kitchens.[footnote]Id.[\/footnote]<\/p>","rendered":"
What does it take to be a street vendor?<\/h2>\n
Street vending refers to the practice of selling food, merchandise, or other goods on sidewalks or other public spaces. Street vending has a long history in Los Angeles,California, as far back as the 1870s when Mexican immigrants sold handmade tamales<\/a> and Chinese immigrants sold produce from pushcarts on the street.[1]<\/sup><\/a> Even back then, city government sought to regulate street vendors. In the 1890s, there were attempts to restrict locations where street vending could be done and limiting times street vendors could sell.[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n Today, regulation of street vending tends to disproportionately affect immigrant and low-income communities, for a few reasons. First, street vending is a way for immigrants and low-income individuals to start their own businesses and earn a living with extremely low start-up costs. With limited access to employment opportunities that pay a living wage, street vending can provide a way for people to make ends meet and support themselves and their families. When street vending is criminalized, it takes away this opportunity for economic empowerment.<\/p>\n Second, enforcement of anti-vending laws has sometimes been targeted at certain communities, particularly those with large immigrant populations. This can lead to harassment, fines, and even arrests for street vendors. These consequences can be financially and emotionally devastating, particularly for those who are already financially struggling. For undocumented immigrants, any kind of interaction with law enforcement can be traumatic due to worries about their immigration status.<\/p>\n Finally, the lack of legal recognition for street vending can also limit access to affordable and culturally diverse food options in certain neighborhoods. In many low-income and immigrant communities, street vendors are an important source of affordable and culturally relevant food. Their presence can contribute to the vibrancy of local communities, creating a hub of activity for local residents.[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n Due to fears that criminal charges for street vending could lead to deportation action by the federal government, California legalized street vending across the state, with the new law allowing cities and counties to create permit programs for vendors.[4]<\/sup><\/a> However, state public health laws make it very difficult for street vendors to get the permits they need to legally sell food because the permitting process requires expensive cart setups (e.g. a three-basin sink and 20 gallons of water on hand at all times) and prohibits some activities such as reheating food or cutting fruit.[5]<\/sup><\/a> These requirements are cost prohibitive for someone selling pre-prepared tamales or cups of chili-topped fruits from a shopping cart. Activists support changing the existing law to add a new category of “compact” mobile food vendors and allowing them to use cottage food laws that would permit the use of home kitchens.[6]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n