The LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has expanded the Sidewalk Vending Cart Program! Applications are officially open, as of October 16th, for a brand-new raw-to-cooked cart. As of today, a total cart pool of 341 carts, across five different cart types, are now available for qualified vendors across both the City and County of Los Angeles.
This program provides commercial-grade vending carts at no cost to eligible entrepreneurs, pairing free equipment with financial grants and one-on-one permitting support to help businesses grow and operate compliantly.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
To qualify for a raw-to-cooked free cart and its accompanying grant, current food vendors must meet the following baseline criteria:
- Must operate in Unincorporated Areas of LA County
- Food vendors: All food carts, except for the raw-to-cooked carts are also open to City of Los Angeles permitted vendor
- Must have operated as a food vendor for at least one year in the unincorporated areas of LA County or within the City of Los Angeles
- Must be 18 years of age or older, a resident of LA County, the sole owner of the business, and have a gross annual household income of $75,000 or less. Limit one cart per household
For merchandise stationary vendors interested in applying for the $500 grant, the same eligibility criteria applies, aside from food-related requirements.
Apply Today!
Inventory and grant funds are strictly limited. After conditionally awarded, vendors must complete program requirements and obtain applicable permits before taking official ownership of their new carts.
