Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Meal Programs - CalEdFacts

This content is part of California Department of Education's information and media guide about education in the State of California. For similar information on other topics, visit the full CalEdFacts.

On an average day in California, over 5 million nutritious meals are served at over 12,000 locations. These meals are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, and the Summer Food Service Program. The California Department of Education (CDE) disburses over $4 billion in federal and state funds to support schools, parks, and other eligible community agencies in providing nutritious meals and snacks. In 2023–24, the CDE distributed over $216 million in USDA Foods to eligible public and private nonprofit agencies throughout the state for use in preparing meals.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Monday, May 12, 2025
Related Content
  • After School
    Provides after school program operators with background information, a comparison chart of available programs, meal pattern charts, directions on how to apply, claiming instructions, policy guidance, resources, and more.
  • Food Programs
    Child nutrition programs data and statistics, including county profiles, free and reduced price data, school meal nutrition analysis, and summer meal service sites.
  • 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.
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Food Safety Inspection for School Year 2024–25 (added 15-Jul-2025)
    LEAs participating in the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and/or National School Lunch Program (NSLP) must complete the SY 2024-25 Food Safety Inspection Survey.
  • School Year 2025–26 Annual Update Now Open (added 14-Jul-2025)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) has opened the School Nutrition Programs (SNP) Annual Update in the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) for School Year (SY) 2025–26 (July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026).
  • Updates to School Nutrition Program Standards (added 10-Jul-2025)
    This MB provides Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs) Operators information and policy guidance regarding updates to federal CNP meal pattern requirements released on April 24, 2024.
  • 2025 SUN Bucks Resources (added 08-Jul-2025)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) is pleased to announce the availability of multiple 2025 SUN Bucks resources
  • Updated Competitive Foods Management Bulletins (added 07-Jul-2025)
    This listserv provides information on how to access three new Management Bulletins (MB) which update information and guidance regarding Competitive Foods and Beverages.