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Yolo County hosts workshop to support food vendors at local events

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  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 0:41 GMT by kcra.com
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Yolo County Hosts Workshop to Empower Food Vendors at Local Events

Yolo County’s burgeoning food‑service community gathered this week for a one‑day workshop aimed at equipping vendors with the tools they need to thrive at local fairs, festivals, and pop‑up events. The session—organized by the Yolo County Economic Development Office and the Yolo County Association of Small Businesses—was held on Thursday, July 9 at the Yolo County Hall of Justice, drawing more than 60 participants from across the region.

The Need for a Dedicated Training Program

The county’s food‑service landscape has expanded dramatically in recent years, driven by a surge in demand for artisanal and ethnic cuisines, food trucks, and mobile vendors. Yet many entrepreneurs find the logistics of participating in community events—ranging from securing permits and understanding health‑and‑safety requirements to navigating event contracts and marketing their brand—daunting. “We saw a clear gap in the knowledge base of our local vendors,” said Maria Sanchez, director of the Yolo County Economic Development Office. “These businesses are the lifeblood of our community’s food culture, and we want to give them the same support that larger, more established companies receive.”

Sanchez cited the pandemic’s lasting impact on food‑service regulations as a primary driver for the workshop. The county’s new “COVID‑19 Event Safety Protocol” requires vendors to provide proof of vaccination, maintain social distancing signage, and adopt contactless payment systems—requirements that many smaller operators were unfamiliar with. “We had to create a rapid‑response training module to help vendors adapt quickly,” she added.

Workshop Structure and Key Topics

The half‑day event followed a structured agenda, broken into five segments:

1. Opening Remarks and County Support Overview – Mayor Eric Tuckson introduced the event, highlighting the county’s commitment to small‑business growth. Tuckson referenced the upcoming Yolo County Fair, slated for September 12‑14, as an example of the kind of high‑traffic opportunities vendors can pursue.

2. Vendor Permits and Health‑and‑Safety Compliance – Certified health inspector Daniel Lee guided attendees through the process of obtaining vendor permits from the Yolo County Health Department. Lee also demonstrated how to use the county’s online portal to check real‑time health‑inspection scores for potential event locations.

3. Marketing and Branding Essentials – Local marketing consultant Priya Patel shared actionable strategies for building an online presence. Patel emphasized the importance of social‑media advertising, email newsletters, and partnerships with local influencers. She also provided templates for vendor‑specific flyers that can be distributed at community events.

4. Financial Planning and Cash‑Flow Management – The workshop’s finance segment was led by accountant and Yolo County Business Development Specialist, Tom Nguyen. Nguyen reviewed budgeting best practices, explained how to calculate break‑even points for event days, and offered a free spreadsheet template that vendors can adapt to their own businesses.

5. Breakout Sessions and Q&A – Participants split into smaller groups to discuss niche topics such as sourcing sustainable ingredients, managing food waste, and creating a mobile kitchen layout that maximizes limited space. A moderated Q&A session followed, allowing vendors to ask county officials and industry experts about specifics—ranging from vendor agreements to seasonal supply chain disruptions.

Success Stories and Participant Feedback

Two of the workshop’s highlighted attendees, “The Spicy Grape” taco truck and “Fresh & Tasty” organic smoothie cart, praised the practical advice offered. “I never realized how much my vendor license was costing me,” said Maria, a third‑generation restaurateur who had been operating in Yolo County for 15 years. “The breakdown of fees and how to apply for financial assistance was eye‑opening.”

“Fresh & Tasty” founder, Rajesh Gupta, added that the marketing module helped him launch a limited‑time Instagram campaign that attracted a 35 % increase in foot traffic during his first fair. “The templates were so user‑friendly; we didn’t have to reinvent the wheel,” Gupta noted.

Participants also lauded the county’s partnership with the California Food Service Association (CFSA), which provided an educational packet on state‑wide regulations and best practices. “It’s rare to see this level of coordination between local and state bodies,” observed attendee and culinary entrepreneur, Lily Kim. “It underscores Yolo County’s commitment to the food‑service ecosystem.”

Looking Ahead

The county plans to repeat the workshop on an annual basis, expanding its reach to include vendors who operate exclusively at farmers’ markets and pop‑up shops. Mayor Tuckson hinted at a future “Vendor‑to‑Vendor” networking series that would pair experienced vendors with newcomers to foster mentorship. “We want to create a community where knowledge is shared and growth is a shared goal,” Tuckson said.

In addition, the Economic Development Office announced that it will launch a grant program—codename “Food‑Forward”—designed to subsidize the costs of health‑and‑safety upgrades for small vendors. “We’re committed to reducing the financial burden on these entrepreneurs so they can focus on what they do best: creating memorable food experiences,” said Sanchez.

How to Get Involved

Vendors interested in attending the next workshop can register through the Yolo County Economic Development website, which also hosts downloadable resources from the July 9 session, including the permit checklist, marketing templates, and the financial planning spreadsheet. For those unable to attend in person, the county is offering a live stream of the next event on their YouTube channel, which will be archived for future reference.

The workshop’s success demonstrates a growing trend in local government agencies proactively supporting small‑business ecosystems, especially in the food‑service sector. By providing targeted training, streamlined permit processes, and financial assistance, Yolo County is setting a model for how community‑focused initiatives can elevate both individual entrepreneurs and the collective culinary culture.

For more information, visit the Yolo County Economic Development Office’s website or contact the Food‑Service Support Team at (530) 555‑1234.