Officials work with Coachella Container Park to remain open

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) — UPDATE 9/4/2026- The Riverside County Environmental Health Department is continuing to support the Coachella Container Park and its vendors by providing guidance on permits, food safety, and compliance with health regulations, says Supervisor V. Manuel Perez in a statement released today.

Supervisor Perez and Container Park owner Nick Meza emphasized the department’s collaborative approach in helping local small businesses operate safely while supporting the well-being of the community.

Supervisor V. Manuel Perez released the following statement: "As the Supervisor for the 4th district, infrastructure, public safety, social services, and Economic Development are critical in building a healthy environment. The same goes true for Environmental Health as it supports small businesses with permits, food security, and the overall the well-being of our constituents. This includes small businesses that sell meals, drinks, and snacks such as Container Parks and their vendors throughout our county. 

The Container Park and its vendors  within the City of Coachella have been supported by the Environmental Health Department.  It has assisted and will continue to assist the owner and vendors of the Coachella Container Park.

Nick Meza, owner of the Coachella Container Park adds, "Throughout this process, Riverside County Environmental Health has worked collaboratively with the Coachella Container Park and its vendors to help us understand and meet health and safety requirements. We appreciate their continued guidance and willingness to work with us toward solutions that allow our vendors to operate safely and remain in compliance."

ORIGINAL REPORT

The City of Coachella is working with the operator of the Container Park to establish a pathway toward regulatory compliance after the popular food vendor and community hub had its permits expire in March. To prevent an immediate shutdown, municipal officials are issuing temporary special event permits that allow vendors to continue operating through this weekend.

For residents of Coachella, the Container Park has grown to be more than a place to dine. Residents say it’s grown into a place for the community to gather, according to its petition page.

The compliance issues prompted the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health to issue a cease-and-desist letter to the facility. City officials stated they are actively guiding the operator through the entitlement and permitting process while providing temporary event authorizations to maintain operations.

A Facebook post from the city of Coachella stated that the city continues to work with the operator toward compliance.

In response, representatives for the Container Park noted their special event permit remains active and is being utilized by the city to authorize events planned for this weekend. The statement also claimed that the county's cease-and-desist order has been lifted for the currently authorized temporary event.

Despite the temporary permits, local small business owners who rely on the hub report ongoing concerns about their future. Rosy Gonzales, co-owner of the food vendor El Comal, emphasized the importance of the gathering place for regular clientele and income.

“We have a lot of customers that go back very often," Gonzales said. "Knowing that we might lose that opportunity, it's been really difficult."

Gonzales noted that the potential closure affects not only business owners, but also their employees and families. While El Comal operates as a mobile setup, other vendors face greater limitations.

“We're pretty much a restaurant on wheels so we can move around, right? But not everybody has that opportunity,” Gonzales said. “For example, the canopies, once we close down the canopies, where are they going to go? They can't just go and set up at a on a sidewalk or anything and we can.”

Additionally, vendors expressed concerns about what might come with a solution, noting hour changes would impact these small business drastically. However, they continue to keep their spirits high.

“I really hope that the City Council, the city has our back and we can work things out,” Gonzales said.

City officials and park operators will continue coordinating scheduled events ahead of a Coachella City Council meeting scheduled for Sept. 9.