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Civil Rights and Program Complaints

Information about filing a complaint for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs (CNP).

Civil Rights Requirement | Compliance and Staff Responsibilities | Complaints | Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Effective July 1, 2020, Title 5, California Code of Regulations (5 CCR) has been updated to add sections 15580–15584. Sections 15580–15584 of 5 CCR can be found on the California Office of Administrative Law web pageExternal link opens in new window or tab.. These new sections include state regulations on how the California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) processes CNP complaints.

The NSD investigates 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 are referred to the LEA for investigation through their Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP).

The NSD investigates all non-LEA program complaints as well as health and safety matters.

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

Program Complaints

Complaints regarding meal counting and claiming, reimbursable meals, eligibility of child or adult, use of cafeteria funds and allowable expenses, non-LEA complaints, and health and safety are 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. Please include the following information:

  • Complaint allegations
  • Date(s)
  • Location of complaint
  • Names
  • Pertinent information as it relates to the complaint

All other program complaints are referred to the local level for the LEA to investigate through their UCP process. For more information, please contact your school district personnel or school district web page for instructions on how to file UCP complaints.

Civil Rights Complaints

Any person or representative alleging discrimination, either written or verbal, based on a prohibited basis has the right to file a complaint within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory action. Federal protected basis includes race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF), found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

  2. Fax: 202-690-7442; or

  3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

For more information on how to file a program discrimination complaint, please refer to the CDE NSD Nondiscrimination Statement web page or the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement web pageExternal link opens in new window or tab..

Questions:   Complaints Coordinator | cnpcomplaints@cde.ca.gov | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Thursday, January 22, 2026
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