County presents task force plan to curb unpermitted food vending; Riverbank urged to join

Robert Costleby, director of environmental resources for Stanislaus County, told the Riverbank City Council the county formed an interagency task force “to protect public health while supporting a fair and level playing field for the many vendors in our county.” He described inspections, a two-warning enforcement approach, and equipment impoundment for repeat offenses.

Costleby showed inspection photos and said unsafe storage, lack of hand-wash stations, and cross-contamination were common. “We find buckets of stuff that we don't know what's in it,” he said, and noted examples including raw meat dripping into cheese and refrigeration that had failed. He also described a commissary model — a permitted commercial kitchen where mobile vendors must prepare and store food — as central to safe operations.

Council members praised the county’s emphasis on education but pressed for better local communication and clarity about the memorandum of agreement (MOA). Mayor Hernandez said there is “another side” to the issue and warned about affecting small entrepreneurs; she asked staff for a fiscal-impact analysis and a council workshop. Costleby said education remains the first priority and that the county is developing training so city staff can operate under county sign-off once protocols are established.

Costleby asked Riverbank to consider joining the task force and to help with local storage and logistics for impounded equipment to avoid long transports to the county facility. He said the county planned an update to the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 15 and is drafting an MOA for cities to review. Council members requested a written cost/benefit analysis, clarification on how AB 626 (microenterprise home kitchens) fits in, and specifics about deputizing or training city personnel.