Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

USDA Civil Rights and Complaints

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) policies and procedures about nondiscrimination in the administration of the child nutrition and food distribution programs.

Materials | Complaints | Resources

Federal Nondiscrimination Statement

Agencies must include the most current version of the federal nondiscrimination statement in a prominent location in all public information releases, publications, and on posters concerning nutrition program activities, except menus.

Short Statement

The short statement reads, "This institution is an equal opportunity provider." The short statement may be used on flyers, posters, or documents that are one page by nature, in a font no smaller than the text.

Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Civil Rights Materials

Civil Rights and Program Complaints

Effective July 1, 2020, Title 5, California Code of Regulations (5 CCR) has been updated to add sections 15580–15584. These new sections include state regulations on how the California Department of Education (CDE) NSD will process Child Nutrition Program (CNP) complaints.

The NSD will investigate local educational agency (LEA) complaints regarding meal counting and claiming, reimbursable meals, eligibility of child or adult, or use of cafeteria funds and allowable expenses. All other program complaints will be referred back to LEA for investigation through their Uniform Complaint Procedures process. The NSD will continue to investigate all non-LEA program complaints.

Sections 15580–15584 of 5 CCR can be found on the California Office of Administrative Law web page External link opens in new window or tab..

Please Note: Any complaints alleging discrimination will be forwarded to the USDA for investigation.

Complaints may be submitted to the NSD by contacting the Civil Rights and Complaints Coordinator by phone at 800-952-5609 or by email at cnpcomplaints@cde.ca.gov. For And Justice for All poster requests, please e-mail AJFAPosters@cde.ca.gov.

Civil Rights Resources

CDE Resources

  • Quality Assurance Process
    Resources to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

  • Available Translations of Program Materials
    Management Bulletin SNP-09-2016 detailing available translations from the USDA for Limited English Proficient (LEP) households.

  • School Nutrition Program Eligibility Materials
    This page contains links to available translations of the applications for LEP households for free and reduced-price meals, the approval/denial notification, and pricing/non-pricing letters to households.

Outside Resources

Follow @CDENutrition on Twitter.

Questions:   Complaints Coordinator | cnpcomplaints@cde.ca.gov | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Thursday, July 31, 2025
Related Content
  • School Nutrition
    Meal and milk programs offered at public and private non-profit schools and residential child care institutions.
  • Summer Meal Programs
    Federal meal programs for children from low-income areas during vacation and off-track periods, including summertime.
  • USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nondiscrimination statement for child nutrition program participants.
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Annual SNP Verification Requirements (added 17-Nov-2025)
    Reminder to complete the annual SNP verification activities.
  • Learning Management System Account Setup (added 14-Nov-2025)
    This new learning management system will be used as the primary venue for delivering training content to satisfy your annual mandatory training hours for Professional Standards and beyond. These webinars will assist with account setup and overview.
  • Professional Standards in the SNP (added 06-Nov-2025)
    Management Bulletin SNP-12-2025: Questions and Answers Professional Standards in the SNPs
  • DoD Fresh Updates and Reminders (added 05-Nov-2025)
    This MB updates the policy for the DoD Fresh entitlement request process, receipting requirements and provides important reminders regarding DoD Fresh and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Ordering and Receipting System (FFAVORS).
  • Student Access to Meals and Food (added 05-Nov-2025)
    NSD Guidance and Resources for Accessing Meals and Food.

  • DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Reminders (added 03-Nov-2025)
    Management Bulletin FDP-01-2025: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Entitlement Request Process Change and Reminders – Revised
  • 2025 KIT Grant & Retention & Recruitment Grant (added 30-Oct-2025)
    The 2025 KIT Grant competitively awards funding to SFAs to improve the quality of meals served through the NSLP & SBP. The Retention & Recruitment Grant competitively awards funding to support the retention and recruitment of food service staff.
  • Hormel Foods Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken Products (added 29-Oct-2025)
    Hormel Foods Corporation Recalls Ready-To-Eat Frozen Chicken Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination.
  • M.C.I. Foods Recalls Breakfast Burritos & Wraps (added 23-Oct-2025)
    M.C.I. Foods, Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Breakfast Burrito and Wrap Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination.
  • LMS Account Setup & Site Overview Webinars (added 21-Oct-2025)
    This new Learning Management System (LMS) will be the primary venue for delivering training content and to satisfy annual mandatory training hours. These webinars will assist with account setup and overview of the site.