Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Healthy Eating & Nutrition Education

Information about improving nutrition and establishing healthy eating habits in school, child care, adult, and after school settings.

California Culinary Centers Standardized Recipes
A collection of standardized recipes to support schools across California in creating menus to meet the National School Lunch Program meal pattern.

California Nutrition Advisory Council
Background and member information for the Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC).

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.

Drinking Water for Students in Schools
Provides background, health implications, policy guidance, best practices, and funding opportunities regarding the requirement for school districts to provide access to free, potable drinking water during meal times.

Ensuring Adequate Time to Eat
Includes background information, best practices, and resources for program operators participating in the Child Nutrition Programs trying to ensure students have adequate time to eat during meal times.

Farm to School
Information about California’s Farm to School for School Nutrition Program operators, including background, funding opportunities, best practices, trainings, resources, food safety, policy, compliance guidelines, and contact information.

Farm to Summer Celebration Week
Information about California’s Farm to Summer Celebration Week for summer meal program operators, including background, how to participate, past successes, trainings, partners, resources, best practices, and list of awardees.

Food Pantries in Schools
Food pantries in schools provide children facing food insecurity with easy access to nutritious food. This web page provides information regarding the benefits, operations, policies, resources, and trainings related to school food pantry programs.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Provides background information, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant overview and application information, program guidelines, resources, compliance, trainings, frequently asked questions, and contacts.

Food Safety
Information and resources about food safety during food preparations and transfer, and California Uniform Retail Food Facility Law (CURFFL) requirements.

Local School Wellness Policy
Information and resources on the Local School Wellness Policy, Section 204 of the Child Nutrition and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004 and the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

NSLP and SBP Meal Patterns
Includes meal pattern requirements, trainings, resources, compliance, policy guidance, and questions and answers for sponsors participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP).

Nutrition Education in California Schools
Provides benefits of nutrition education, best practices, funding options, state and federal policy, resources, trainings, and contact information for Health and Nutrition Educators in California schools.

Plant-Based Meal Options in Child Nutrition Programs
Includes definitions, background, health benefit information, how to take action, resources, online trainings, and policy guidance for program operators participating in the Child Nutrition Programs and interested in offering plant-based meals.

Smarter Lunchrooms Movement
Information about the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement, how to get started, online training opportunities, helpful resources, and contact information.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Monday, May 08, 2023
Related Content
Recently Posted in Nutrition

  • Net Cash Resources and Allowable Costs Reminder (added 19-Sep-2023)
    Program operators that have NCR of six months or more average operating expenses are required to have a budget agreement. Program operators are reminded that cafeteria funds are to be used for the operation and improvement of school food service.
  • Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule (added 19-Sep-2023)
    On August 23, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service released SP 21-2023, Initial Implementation Memorandum: Child Nutrition Program Integrity Final Rule.
  • Upcoming Webinars and Team Nutrition Materials (added 19-Sep-2023)
    The USDA’s Team Nutrition (TN) initiative is excited to share three upcoming webinar opportunities and a reminder to order TN’s print materials for National School Lunch Week, which is October 9-13, 2023.
  • Governor Newsom Expands State of Emergency (added 14-Sep-2023)
    Governor Newsom Expands State of Emergency Due to Tropical Storm Hilary Impacts in Siskiyou County.
  • Webinar: KIT Freshly Prepared Onsite Meal Criteria (added 12-Sep-2023)
    This announcement provides information on how to register for the KIT Freshly Prepared Onsite Meal Criteria webinar.