Are Modesto sidewalk vendors regulated by police? Inspected by the county? How it works
With growing awareness surrounding restaurant and food truck inspections in Stanislaus County come questions about the practice of other businesses in the food service industry.
Modesto Bee reader Marc Etchebarne and several others asked a similar question: Who inspects the unpermitted food vendors that pop up after hours on the city’s sidewalks?
Really, this question is a three-parter. Do sidewalk vendors in Modesto have permits to operate, are they regulated by the Modesto Police Department and are they inspected by the Stanislaus County Department of Environmental Resources?
Do sidewalk vendors have permits to operate in Modesto?
All food vendors should be working with the county (and city) to obtain proper permits, said Stanislaus County Department of Environmental Resources Director Rob Kostlivy.
The process to obtain a sidewalk vendor permit in Modesto includes going through the city, the Fire Department (if a heating element is used), an insurance company, the county and the state. Fees are also involved.
However, not all of the vendors you see are permitted to operate, Kostlivy said, adding that over the past few years, his department has noticed a “significant uptick in the sheer volume” of unpermitted vendors on the sidewalks and roadsides of Stanislaus Countyand really, across the state.
Do sidewalk vendors go through health inspections with Stanislaus County?
Sidewalk vendors are “driven by necessity and a desire to share their culinary traditions,” Kostlivy said.
They set up makeshift stands in high-traffic areas, offering “an array of tempting street foods at a reduced price,” he said. “Despite the appeal of these tempting offerings, unauthorized sidewalk food vending poses significant health risks.”
Issues with sidewalk vending, Kostlivy said, include:
- lack of access to clean water for washing hands and utensils
- inadequate restroom facilities
- insufficient refrigeration for perishable foods
- unsanitary preparation conditions
These issues can all contribute to the spread of foodborne illnesses.
Reports of food poisoning, gastrointestinal ailments and other illnesses associated with street food consumption highlight the serious public health concerns involved, Kostlivy said.
“Our health inspectors face a challenging task, as the transient nature of unpermitted vending makes it difficult to monitor and enforce regulations consistently,” he said. “The vendors, often struggling with economic hardship, might be unaware of or unable to afford the necessary sanitary measures, further compounding the risks.”
How does the Modesto Police Department regulate sidewalk vendors?
In terms of inspections and enforcement, the Police Department collaborates with Environmental Resources to ensure vendors are properly licensed, insured and certified, said spokeswoman Sharon Bear.
Violators of the city’s and county’s licensing, insurance and certification codes can face a range of consequences from citation to impoundment of equipment, Bear said. The consequences of violating the codes depend on the type of violation and frequency of occurrence.
“Most vendors encountered by MPD are from out of town with no ties to the local community, originating from the Bay Area or Southern California,” she said.
The “complex issue” of unpermitted sidewalk food vending in California highlights the need for more accessible pathways for vendors to operate legally, Kostlivy said, ensuring food safety while preserving the “vibrant street food culture that so many cherish.”
“Our county team is currently looking at strategies to help our constituents fall into compliance, which will result in a healthier Stanislaus County,” he said.
This story was originally published August 7, 2024 at 2:55 PM.
.jpg)