Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030

Announcing an update to the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 - Eat Real Food

On February 11, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) posted a new policy guidance SP 02-2026 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 – Eat Real Food External link opens in new window or tab..

While the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) will eventually guide changes to federal Child Nutrition Program (CNP) meal requirements, these updated guidelines do not immediately change your program operations.

The USDA is in the process of developing a proposed rule to revise the CNP meal standards to align with the updated DGAs. Part of this rulemaking process includes a public comment period to allow for feedback before the regulations go into effect.

Until a final rule becomes effective, CNP Operators must continue meeting current meal requirements. However, you are encouraged to become familiar with the key recommendations and consider how the updated DGAs can be incorporated into your meal programs.

Resources

Access the new edition of the DGAs and the daily servings guide web page External link opens in new window or tab..

Contact Information

If you have questions in the meantime, contact the School Nutrition Programs Unit at SNPInfo@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Friday, February 27, 2026
Related Content
  • Food Service Staff Education and Training
    Information for new School Nutrition Program (SNP) professionals and an overview of the School Nutrition and Summer Nutrition Programs, online trainings, resources, and program contact information.
  • Nutrition What's New
    News and announcements relating to nutrition for program operators and contacts.
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Webinar: Tuesdays @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall (added 06-Aug-2026)
    August 25, 2026 School Nutrition Town Hall webinar for School Nutrition Program Operators and Food Service Directors.
  • SNP Reimbursement Rates for 2026-27 (added 06-Aug-2026)
    This web page provides the School Nutrition Programs (SNP) reimbursement rates for the 2026-27 school year.
  • 2026–27 FFVP Grant Recipient Announcement (added 31-Jul-2026)
    On July 30, 2026, the CDE NSD awarded and posted the FFVP first allocation grant recipients and funding allocations for School Year 2026–27 on the CDE FFVP Funding Results web page. The FFVP first allocation is July 1, 2026–September 30, 2026.
  • Competitive Food and Beverages Definition of Sold (added 29-Jul-2026)
    Management Bulletin SNP-28-2014, AB 626 (Skinner), EC 49430(f): Competitive foods and beverages: implementing the definition sold.
  • Local School Wellness Policy Final Rule--Revised (added 29-Jul-2026)
    Management Bulletin SNP-03-2026: The Local School Wellness Policy Final Rule (Revised) provides additional information explaining the requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's local school wellness policy requirements.