The Kern High School District has recently implemented some changes in how campuses should handle food vendors, due to recent enforcement of state food code regulations. Local food vendors are now facing these changes after learning they must secure a mobile food facility permit, in addition to any other necessary permits from the Kern County Public Health Department, to sell at school events.
A Ridgeview sophomore, Malak Quteibi, frequently participates in food sales. When clubs from Ridgeview come together in the quad, they sell various individual foods and drinks to help raise funds for their club’s goals and needs. Quteibi stated, “The best part of food sale is walking around with friends and debating what food to buy. Everything always looks so good.” Ridgeview’s campus hosts a non-compete food sale, meaning that in the general 10-14 clubs that all sell, the foods and drinks are entirely different to avoid competition. When asked about feelings regarding the new permits, Quteibi expressed, “I’m not entirely mad about it. I mean… to me it just feels like students would be getting better quality food, because the vendor selling it is qualified.”
Deb Whitbey, third-year Activities Director at Ridgeview, is generally involved in aiding anything student-focused and generated. Whitbey helps coordinate most events on campus, which often include food vendors for students to enjoy. Due to this responsibility, Whitbey was made well aware of the new changes when the Kern High School District announced them. When asked why these changes came about, Whitbey explains, “Well, because of the safety and security for the kids’ sake. Policies have been in place that have recently been reinforced to make sure that all vendors that come on campus have certain licenses and permissions to be on campus within the city or county limits.” For vendors to obtain these new permits, it will be costly, and currently, it’s the school’s responsibility to pay for each one. However, specifics of these finances are being worked through and hopefully will be concluded soon. Whitbey adds, “I do expect further changes and updates to these vendor guidelines in the future. We’re still receiving communication at our monthly Activities Director meetings.”
Gilbert Juarez, better known as Dimples Food, has been selling within Kern High School District schools for the last four months as a food vendor. Juarez mentions, “Every school I’ve spoken with has asked for my full documentation, and I’m grateful to have all my official permits in place.” Juarez, locally known as Mr. Dimples, has made a name for himself in Bakersfield and on social media, selling a variety of foods. “From my perspective, the district is doing the best it can by requiring proper paperwork from all vendors to ensure the safety and protection of all students.”
