Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Availability of the 2026-27 Breakfast Grant

The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division would like to remind public school districts, county offices of education, and directly funded charter schools to apply for the School Year 2026–27 School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Meal Programs (SMP) Start-up and Expansion Grants.

Background Information

The State Legislature appropriates approximately $1.017 million in the annual state budget for SBP and SMP Start-up and Expansion Grants. California Education Code Section 49550.3, authorizes the CDE to award competitive grants of up to $15,000 per school site for nonrecurring expenses incurred when initiating or expanding an SBP or SMP.

For more information about the SBP and SMP grants and eligibility requirements, visit the CDE School Breakfast and Summer Meal Grants web page.

Grant Application Package and Deadline

The grant application package and instructions for these grants are available on the CDE SBP and SMP Grant Request for Applications web page. Please note that school food authorities must complete the grant application online.

The online application closes on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 4 p.m., at which time the CDE will no longer accept applications. There are only two weeks left to apply.

Contact Information

If you have questions regarding this subject, please contact the Breakfast Grant team by email at breakfastgrant@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Monday, February 02, 2026
Related Content
  • Breakfast and Summer Grant Instructions
    Funding information regarding the California’s School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Meal Programs (SMP) start-up and expansion grants. The grant period is July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027.
  • RFA-26: School Breakfast and Summer Meal Programs
    The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division, through the School Breakfast Program and Summer Meal Programs, to fund Start-up and Expansion Grants to eligible sites. The grant period is July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027.
  • School Breakfast and Summer Meal Grants
    School Breakfast Program and Summer Meal Programs Start-up and Expansion Grants.
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Webinar: Tuesdays @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall (added 15-May-2026)
    School Nutrition Town Hall webinar for School Nutrition Program Operators and Food Service Directors on May 26, 2026.
  • Expanded Capital Expenditure Approved List (added 12-May-2026)
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the California Department of Education’s (CDE) request to expand the Capital Expenditure Approved List. This expansion contains equipment commonly purchased by School Food Authorities (SFAs).
  • USDA Farm to School Grant Informational Webinars (added 12-May-2026)
    School districts may apply for three federal grants that can support farm to school, the Farmers Market Promotion Program, the Local Food Promotion Program, and the Regional Food Systems Partnerships grant.
  • Updated Resources Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (added 06-May-2026)
    Updated Resources Due to the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025.
  • USDA Grants to Support Farm to School (added 06-May-2026)
    School districts may apply for three federal grants that can support farm to school, the Farmers Market Promotion Program, the Local Food Promotion Program, and the Regional Food Systems Partnerships grant.