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Competitive Foods and Beverages

Information on competitive foods and beverages including definitions, background, compliance, resources, policy guidance, and frequently asked questions for sponsors participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.

Overview

All public non-charter schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) must follow state and federal requirements for competitive foods and beverages. All charter or private schools participating in the NSLP or SBP must follow only the federal requirements, with limited exceptions. Competitive foods and beverages are those that are 1) sold, 2) to students, 3) on school campus, 4) during the school day, and 5) outside of the federally reimbursable meal programs. Examples may be foods or beverages sold in vending machines (that are not reimbursable meals), student stores, fundraisers, or á la carte items sold by the school food service department.

Definitions

Competitive Foods

All food and beverages other than meals reimbursed under programs authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 available for sale to students on the school campus during the school day. (Title 7 Code of Federal Regulation [7 CFR] 210.11[a][2])External link opens in new window or tab., California Education Code (EC) Section 49430(c) External link opens in new window or tab., and Title 5, California Code of Regulations (5 CCR) Section 15575(a)]External link opens in new window or tab.

School Campus

All areas of the property under the jurisdiction of the school that are accessible to pupils during the school day. [7 CFR Section 210.11(a)(4) External link opens in new window or tab. and EC Section 49430(k) External link opens in new window or tab.]

School Day

The period from the midnight before to 30 minutes after the end of the official school day. [7 CFR Section 210.11(5) External link opens in new window or tab. and EC Section 49430(l) External link opens in new window or tab.]

Sold

The exchange of food or beverages for money, coupons, vouchers, or order forms when any part of the exchange occurs on a school campus. [EC Section 49430(n) External link opens in new window or tab.]

Added Sweetener

An additive other than 100 percent fruit juice that enhances the sweetness of a beverage. [EC Section 49430(a) External link opens in new window or tab.]

Entree

A competitive entrée is a food that is generally regarded as being the primary food in a meal or intended as the main dish (EC Section 49430[f]) and is further defined in 7 CFR Section 210.11(a)(3) and 5 CCR 15575(c) as any of the following:

  • A combination of a meat/meat alternate (M/MA) and a whole grain-rich (WGR) grain, or
  • A combination of an M/MA and a vegetable or fruit, or
  • An M/MA alone, with the exception of yogurt; low- or reduced-fat cheese; nuts, seeds and nuts or seed butters; and meat snacks (such as dried beef jerky), or
  • A combination of a meat/meat alternate (M/MA) and a whole grain-rich (WGR) grain, or

In addition to the four bullets above, for charter and private schools only two additional definitions of entrée exist:

  • A combination of a meat/meat alternate (M/MA) and an enriched grain, or
  • A combination of a meat/meat alternate (M/MA) and an enriched grain

Although 7 CFR sections 210.11(a)(3)(i) and (iv), states that a competitive entrée containing a grain can be WGR or enriched, California law is more restrictive. For public, noncharter schools, and per 5 CCR Section 15575(c)–the grain in a competitive entrée must be WGR and cannot be enriched. Refer to Management Bulletin SNP-04-2025 titled Competitive Foods and Beverages Overview UPDATE for additional information.

Snack

A food that is generally regarded as supplementing a meal, including, but not limited to, chips, crackers, yogurt, cheese, nuts, seeds, fruit, or vegetables. [EC Section 49430(m) External link opens in new window or tab.]

Paired Exempt Foods

A combination of food items that have been designated as exempt from one or more of the nutrient requirements individually which are packaged together without any additional ingredients. Such paired exempt foods for any school type must meet nutrient standards for calories and sodium [7 CFR, Section 210.11(a)(6) External link opens in new window or tab.]. A public, noncharter school must also meet nutrient standards for sugar and trans fat (5 CCR 15578[d])

Elementary School

A school operated and maintained by a school district or county office of education that maintains any grade from kindergarten to grade 6, inclusive, but no grade higher than grade 6. [EC Section 49430(e) External link opens in new window or tab.]

Middle School

A school operated and maintained by a school district or county office of education that maintains grade 7 or 8, grades 7 to 9, inclusive, or grades 7 to 10, inclusive. [EC Section 49430(i) External link opens in new window or tab.]

High School

A school operated and maintained by a school district or county office of education maintaining any of grades 9 to 12, inclusive. [EC Section 49430(h) External link opens in new window or tab.]

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | COMPETITIVEFOODS@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
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