School Nutrition

Meal and milk programs offered at public and private nonprofit schools and residential child care institutions.

Programs

California Universal Meals
Information about the background, policy, and resources regarding California’s Universal Meals Program.

School Breakfast Program
Information about applying for and administering the School Breakfast Program.

Meal Supplements (Snacks) Under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Information about applying for and administering after-school snacks under the National School Lunch Program.

Breakfasts and Snacks for Nonschoolaged Children
Includes overview, background, and program specific guidance on providing meals to nonschoolaged children.

National School Lunch Program
Information about applying for and administering the National School Lunch Program.

Seamless Summer Feeding Option (Seamless Option)

Information about the federal seamless option opportunity that allows public schools to combine features of the School Nutrition Programs and the Summer Food Service Program along with reduced paperwork requirements.

Special Milk Program
Information about applying for and administering the Special Milk Program in camps and schools that do not participate in the federal meal programs.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Information about applying for and administering the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

Program Support

Administrative Review
Includes information, regulations, procedures, and updates on the School Nutrition Programs administrative review.

Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food & Nutrition Service policies and procedures about nondiscrimination in the administration of the child nutrition and food distribution programs.

Procurement in School Nutrition Programs
Regulations, requirements, and guidance governing all school food service procurements.

Forms
Forms and completed sample forms for use by School Nutrition Programs sponsors.

Guidance, Manuals, and Resources
The most recent guidance manuals, management bulletins, and other materials needed for proper administration of the school nutrition programs.

Mailing List
Sign up to receive School Nutrition Programs information via e-mail.

Contact Us

School Nutrition Programs Unit Directory
Directory of School Nutrition Program Specialists by county.

Questions: Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609

Last Reviewed: Thursday, January 18, 2024

Related Content

Procurement in School Nutrition Programs
Federal procurement regulations when contracting with food service management companies (FSMC), vendors, or competitively procuring food.
Provisions: Claiming Alternatives
School Nutrition Program Provisions 1, 2, 3, and the Community Eligibility Provision are alternative ways for local educational agencies to claim student meals.
School Nutrition Programs Administrative Review
Includes information, regulations, procedures, and updates on the School Nutrition Programs (SNP) administrative review (AR).
School Nutrition Programs Management Bulletins
School Nutrition Programs (SNP) management bulletins for sponsors of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, and State Meal Program.
SNP Guidance, Manuals, and Resources
The most recent guidance manuals, management bulletins, and other materials needed for proper administration of the School Nutrition Programs (SNP).

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Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas Q&A #2 (added 18-Apr-2024)
The USDA announced the release of an updated policy memorandum, SFSP 08- 2024, SP 15-2024: Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas Questions and Answers #2.
President Biden Approves Disaster Relief (added 16-Apr-2024)
President Biden approves California disaster for Butte, Glenn, Los Angeles, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Sutter, and Ventura counties.
Child Nutrition Database, Release 27 (added 15-Apr-2024)
Notification to agencies about the release of the Child Nutrition Database, Release 27 availability.
FDP Contract Packet Update for SY 2024–25 (added 15-Apr-2024)
Food Distribution Program Contract Packet Update in CNIPS for SY 2024–25.
Rural Non-congregate Meals Listening Session (added 11-Apr-2024)
The CDE will host a Listening Session on Tuesday, April 30 from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm on the rural non-congregate meal service option for summer meal programs.

Summer Meals Turnip the Beet Award Winners 2023 (added 09-Apr-2024)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the 2023 Turnip the Beet award winners on March 13, 2024.
2022 KIT $15 Million Funding Award Available (added 09-Apr-2024)
Announcement regarding the availability of the 2022 Kitchen Infrastructure and Training fund, $15 million residual award amounts, including information on the timing of payment, accounting information, and use of funds.
School Lunch Hero Day—May 3, 2024 (added 05-Apr-2024)
The School Food Hero Day is May 3, 2024. This month is the perfect time to celebrate and recognize the role that food service professionals play in supporting student health, school meals, and learning.
S-EBT Notification for CALPADS Administrators (added 04-Apr-2024)
CALPADS Flash #269 sent on March 19, 2024. This Flash provides information for CALPADS administrators about the process of collecting data for the upcoming 2024 Summer EBT Program (also known as SUNBucks).
Summer Feeding Options for Summer 2024 Operations (added 04-Apr-2024)
As many school food authorities begin planning for summer 2024 operations, the CDE is providing this communication to highlight the differences between various summer feeding options.