Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Child Nutrition Information and Payment System - 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.

The Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) is the largest web-based application and reimbursement system ever implemented by the California Department of Education (CDE). The CNIPS helps local program sponsors administer state and federal nutrition programs such as the School Nutrition Programs (SNP), Food Distribution Program (FDP), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The CNIPS enables sponsors to easily submit online reimbursement, view the status of applications and meal reimbursement claims, and access site and sponsor information across programs. The CNIPS also increases timeliness and accuracy of claims submission, processing, and payments, while reducing the administrative burden on local agencies.

For more information regarding nutrition services, contact the Nutrition Services Division at 916-445-0850 or 800-952-5609. Additional information is available on the CDE Nutrition web page.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Related Content
  • Child Nutrition Information & Payment System
    The Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) is a Web-based system for local sponsors of federal food programs. Agencies can also register for trainings through the CNIPS.
  • Nutrition
    Resources and information related to child nutrition, nutrition education, food distribution programs, and the Child Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Council.
  • Nutrition Fiscal Services Analyst Directory
    Fiscal information to aid nutrition sponsors and to provide information about claiming meal reimbursements.
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • LMS Account Setup & Site Overview Webinars (added 21-Oct-2025)
    This new Learning Management System (LMS) will be the primary venue for delivering training content and to satisfy annual mandatory training hours. These webinars will assist with account setup and overview of the site.
  • Webinar: Tuesdays @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall (added 21-Oct-2025)
    School Nutrition Town Hall webinar for School Nutrition Program Operators and Food Service Directors.
  • New Legislation Regarding Ultraprocessed Food (added 13-Oct-2025)
    This page announces the signing of Assembly Bill (AB) 1264 and announces a webinar that provides an overview of AB 1264, explores implementation strategies, and presents current research and policy approaches to reduce UPF consumption among students.
  • LMS Account Setup & Site Overview Webinars (added 13-Oct-2025)
    This new learning management system will be used as the primary venue for delivering training content to satisfy your annual mandatory training hours for Professional Standards and beyond.
  • October Celebrations 2025 (added 08-Oct-2025)
    Encouragement for program operators to participate in any of the following special occasions: National Farm to School Month, California Crunch Day, National School Lunch Week, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and National Farmer Day.