In 2015, the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship worked as a member of the Street Vendors Justice Coalition to legalize street food in Chicago. Today, thanks to the efforts of many coalition members, street food vendors and aldermen, a license is available to serve food on the sidewalks of Chicago.
Lots of Chicagoans have the start-up capital for a new food business: a great recipe, experience feeding a crowd and a big dream. But there are not many kitchens where they can start small and legally. We work with community groups to understand the legal requirements for a shared kitchen in Chicago and to identify spaces, teams and financiers for community kitchens.
However, our work is far from over. The license stipulates that vendors prepare food in a licensed, commercial kitchen: a shared kitchen. Chicago has strikingly few operating shared kitchens and even fewer shared kitchens in the neighborhoods where vendors live and sell their delicious treats.
With that in mind, the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship and Food Empowerment Design (FED), created a guide to opening, operating and participating in shared kitchens in Chicago. The guide is available in both English and Spanish.
Shared Kitchen Guides (pdfs)
other clinic campaigns
Occupational Licensing
Despite our small team size, we are leaders in driving occupational licensing reform for working-class Illinoisans.
Vacant Lots
The process of buying city-owned vacant lots and return the land to productive use is a daunting multi-year task.
Permits, Business Licensing, Zoning
The Clinic continues to identify and advocate for opportunities to streamline small business creation and right size regulations to secure a level playing field where small businesses can grow and thrive.