Following the release of the County of Sacramento’s new public heath order, which now allows restaurants to offer dine-in service, the City of Sacramento has launched an expedited process to help local restaurants participate in the City’s new “Farm to Fork Al Fresco” outdoor dining program.
Unveiled last week in coordination with community partners, Farm to Fork Al Fresco allows restaurants located in city limits to potentially expand their dining facilities into public sidewalks and/or streets as well as adjacent parking areas. This will enable restaurants to service more customers while adhering to physical distancing recommendations.
“It’s time for us to reopen so our restaurants, small businesses and workers can get back to earning a living, but it’s important that we do so carefully so we don’t have a surge of infections and have to pull back,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “It makes perfect sense to allow restaurants to spread out so they can safely serve more patrons. I look forward to dining al fresco sometime soon on a lovely Sacramento evening.”
“Restauranteurs and restaurant staff have been hit really hard by this pandemic, but our city is safely moving into reopening through our Farm to Fork Al Fresco program,” said Councilmember Steve Hansen. “With help from Visit Sacramento and our business districts, I am thrilled to see this project launch for all restaurants in the city of Sacramento.”
Those interested in participating in the Farm to Fork Al Fresco program are encouraged to visit the City’s newly launched resource page, where they will find helpful FAQs about requirements for expanding outdoor dining areas into public sidewalks/streets and adjacent parking areas. While there, they can fill out and submit a simple intake form and City staff will contact them about next steps.
“This City of Sacramento is committed to working with businesses to relaunch safely and quickly,” said Assistant City Manager Mike Jasso. “Thanks to all of our community partners and to City staff for putting this program together so quickly and working with restaurants to ensure they are able to serve their customers while adhering to the Sacramento County public health order.”
All new or expanded outdoor dining facilities must comply with applicable Sacramento County Environmental Health, Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requirements and regulations. Some restaurants may need to apply for an encroachment permit from the City to participate in the program.
The City’s Farm to Fork Al Fresco program for outdoor seating will operate until Sacramento County Public Health Order allows restaurants to resume full operations. For more information about the County of Sacramento’s health order visit here or guidance for businesses visit here.
For specific questions about the Farm to Fork Al Fresco program not addressed by the FAQs, please email alfresco@cityofsacramento.org or call (916) 808-7196.