Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirement


Management Bulletin (MB) SNP-08-2025; SFSP-08-2025; FDP-08-2025: Guidance for Accepting Processed Product Documentation for Meal Pattern Requirements is available on the California Department of Education (CDE) School Nutrition Programs (SNP) MBs web page, on the Summer Food MBs web page, and on the Food Distribution web page.

This MB provides Child Nutrition Program (CNP) Operators guidance for documenting how a processed food item meets the meal pattern requirements of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), including how the state agency verifies this process through an administrative review (AR). This MB also provides updates to the Child Nutrition (CN) Label Verification System and clarification of Valid Until date shown on the CN Label Verification Report. Finally, this MB outlines the required documentation during an AR or outside audit.

Contact Information

CN Label Questions:
  • SNP Operators with questions regarding CN labels, can contact the School Nutrition Programs Unit at SNPInfo@cde.ca.gov.
  • SFSP Operators with questions regarding CN labels, can contact the Summer Nutrition Programs and Grants Unit at SFSP@cde.ca.gov.
Product Formulation Statements (PFS) Questions:
AR Questions:

Program Operators requiring assistance regarding how CN labels and PFS are used in the AR process, can email questions to FSU@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
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.
  • Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities
    This MB provides important updates to requirements related to accommodating participants with disabilities on the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).
  • School Nutrition
    Meal and milk programs offered at public and private non-profit schools and residential child care institutions.
  • School Nutrition Programs Administrative Review
    Includes information, regulations, procedures, and updates on the School Nutrition Programs (SNP) administrative review (AR).
Recently Posted in Nutrition

  • SNP AR 25-26 Workload (added 23-Jun-2025)
    School Nutrition Program (SNP) sponsors who are scheduled for an Administrative Review in School Year 2025-26.
  • Culinary Training: Date Extended to July 3, 2025 (added 20-Jun-2025)
    Space is available for Culinary Trainings! The Nutrition Services Division, in collaboration with the Institute of Child Nutrition, is hosting free, in-person, half-day, Mediterranean Menus of Flavor culinary arts trainings for school food service.
  • Webinar: Tuesdays @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall (added 20-Jun-2025)
    School Nutrition Town Hall webinar for School Nutrition Program Operators and Food Service Directors.
  • Paid Lunch Equity Guidance for School Year 2025–26 (added 19-Jun-2025)
    This communication provides information to School Food Authorities (SFA) on the updated guidance on Paid Lunch Equity for school year 2025-26.
  • March 25, 2025 Tuesday at 2 Town Hall Resources (added 19-Jun-2025)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) hosted the monthly Tuesday @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall webinar March 25, 2025.