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Area Eligibility in the Summer Meal Programs

The Management Bulletin provides guidance on area eligibility in the Summer Meal Programs.

Management Bulletin (MB) CNP-01-2026, Area Eligibility in the Summer Meal Programs, is available on the California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division Summer Food Management Bulletin web page and the School Nutrition Programs MB web page.

This MB provides guidance on area eligibility in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO). It supersedes CDE MB CNP-04-2015.

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact your assigned specialist in the Summer Nutrition Program and Grants Unit. You may find your assigned specialist in the Child Nutrition Information Payment Systems (CNIPS) Download Forms section, Form ID Caseload. You may also email the following contact emails to reach your specialist:

SFSP Operators: SFSP@cde.ca.gov

SSO Operators: SSFO@cde.ca.gov

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Related Content
  • Seamless Summer Option (SSO)
    Information about the federal Seamless Summer 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.
  • Summer Food Service Program Information
    Administrative and operational information and guidance for organizations that participate in the program.
  • Summer Meal Programs
    Federal meal programs for children from low-income areas during vacation and off-track periods, including summertime.
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