LA Library System Offers Guide On How To Become A Successful Street Food Vendor

The food scene in Los Angeles consists of everything from old school burger stalls and legendary landmarks to posh Hollywood restaurants and street vendors on plenty of neighborhood corners, the last of which have become local heroes and favorites to the communities they serve.

As it turns out, the entrepreneurial spirit is a characteristic trait of Los Angeles. So much so, according to ABC7, that the city’s Public Library system has created a website that assists people interested in becoming a street food vendor. 

Without guidance, becoming a vendor presents several hurdles that can inhibit those hoping to secure a license.. To realize your dreams of selling to LA’s hungry locals, you first need the right permits, health certificates, and business license. The website has been active for a year and includes step-by-step instructions on how to make it happen.

A few hundred vendors have already used the website according to Madeleine Ildefonso, the managing librarian for the city’s public library system. 

“We worked directly with street vendors to develop this program, and so what it encompasses are recorded presentations on how you get your permits, how you obtain your California public health permit, California seller’s permit, the city of Los Angeles’ business tax permit,” she shared with ABC7.

The website goes beyond business management tips, as it also features a tutorial on ways to deescalate tense situations.

“This is really more about what are the tendencies about preservation on the street for yourself using those principles of bystander intervention, so you’re going to be very aware of your situation,” said Ildefonso. “You’re going to understand when you might be able to say something or when you take a step back.”

There are approximately 50,000 micro businesses or street food vendors in LA according to data from Economic Roundtable. All residents of Southern California are free to access the website.