Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Child Nutrition Information & Payment System (CNIPS)

CNIPS is a new Web-based system for local sponsors of federal food programs to more easily submit and track the status of their applications, claims, changes, and commodity requests to the CDE.

What is the CNIPS?

The CNIPS is the California Department of Education's (CDE) Web-based system for administering the federal and state Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch and Breakfast, Food Distribution, Special Milk, Child and Adult Care Food, Summer Food Service, and Seamless Summer Feeding Option programs. This system will significantly streamline, simplify, and modernize the ways in which local educational agencies (LEAs/sponsors) administer these programs, submit applications, site changes, claims for reimbursement, and other administrative actions such as training registration.

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.

CNIPS Benefits

  • Submit applications, renewals/annual updates, claims for reimbursement, and site change requests online
  • Increase timeliness and accuracy of claims submission, processing, and payments
  • Reduce administrative burden on local agencies
  • Access site and agency information across programs

CNIPS System Requirements

  • A valid e-mail address
  • Access to the Internet using one of the following Web browsers:
    • Netscape 6.0 or later version
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or later version
    • Firefox 0.8 or later version
  • Adobe Reader 7.0 External link opens in new window or tab. or later version. This software is free.

File Layout Specifications

Food Distribution Program

School Nutrition Program

Training Registration

  • Course information, locations and registrations are available for CDE-sponsored trainings on the CNIPS Training Registration web page.
    • The CNIPS Training Registration web page can be accessed from the CNIPS home page by clicking the Training Registration link located below the login box. 
    • Please note that some courses and trainings are only available to Child Nutrition Program sponsors.

Questions:   Help Desk | CNIPS@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • CS Beef Packers Recalls Ground Beef Due to E. Coli (added 12-Feb-2026)
    CS Beef Packers, LLC Recalls Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli Contamination.
  • Honoring Cultural Preferences in School Nutrition (added 12-Feb-2026)
    The webinar highlights best practices for incorporating student cultural food preferences honoring Black voice and other cultures, in menu offerings, strengthen student trust and engagement, and support equity in school meal participation.
  • Rural Non-congregate Meal Service Option Webinar (added 12-Feb-2026)
    The California Department of Education will host a Summer Meals Rural Non-congregate Meal Service Option webinar on Wednesday, March 4 from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm.
  • National Nutrition Month 2026 (added 10-Feb-2026)
    The Nutrition Services Division encourages program operators to participate in the National Nutrition Month and National School Breakfast Week.
  • National Nutrition Month 2026 Letter (added 10-Feb-2026)
    The Nutrition Services Division encourages program operators to participate in the National Nutrition Month and National School Breakfast Week.

  • Availability of the 2026-27 Breakfast Grant (added 06-Feb-2026)
    The final reminder for School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Meal Programs (SMP) Start-up and Expansion Grants, administered by the California Department of Education, provide schools with funding to start-up or expand their SBP and SMP.
  • 2026 SUN Bucks Implementation Webinar (added 05-Feb-2026)
    Register for the 2026 SUN Bucks Implementation Webinar.
  • Availability of the 2026-27 Breakfast Grant (added 02-Feb-2026)
    The School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Meal Programs (SMP) Start-up and Expansion Grants, administered by the California Department of Education, provide schools with funding to start-up or expand their SBP and SMP.
  • Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 (added 30-Jan-2026)
    Key updates to the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 such as fluid milk requirements, fluid milk substitutes, and dietary specifications for saturated fat.
  • Competitive Foods Webinar Series 2026 (added 26-Jan-2026)
    Competitive Foods Webinar Series 2026 will consist of five webinar trainings in February 2026.