Board Makes Home Kitchen Businesses Permanent as Operators Share Life-Changing Stories

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors unanimously advanced an ordinance to make its home kitchen business program permanent after a two-year pilot that permitted 128 micro restaurants with zero foodborne illnesses — then turned its attention to striking refinery workers, a plea to save the county's only Spanish-language addiction recovery beds, and a sweeping celebration of the county's Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

• Steelworkers urge Board support for 110 workers striking Marathon's Martinez refinery over proposed 16- to 18-hour shifts with hazardous chemicals

• Home kitchen pilot goes permanent after 128 permits, zero illnesses, and seven operators testifying the program changed their lives

• Spanish-language recovery program fights for survival, reporting 48 clients served, 90% diverted from custody, and $5.5 million in county savings

• Fourth annual AANHPI Heritage celebration honors immigrant justice leader Susan Kim and community bridge-builder Annie O with cultural performances and personal stories

• Mother describes daughter's traumatic involuntary 5150 hold at John Muir ER, where no behavioral health professionals were on staff or on call

• Foster Care Month proclamation spotlights 646 children in county placements and the ongoing need for resource families

Editor's Note: Due to a technical issue, Locunity's systems missed the May 12, 2026, meeting. The issue is now resolved.