Child Nutrition Advisory Council

Bylaws | Composition | Term | Members and Initiatives | Staff Support | Principal Staff Contact | Public Involvement
Meeting Dates, Agendas, and Minutes

Background

Education Code Section 49533 establishes the Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC). The mission of the CNAC is to provide recommendations to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction related to the Child Nutrition Programs administered by the California Department of Education (CDE). The CNAC is committed to making recommendations on evidence-based strategies that increase year-round access to high-quality, nutritious, and appealing meals for California youth and promoting the inclusion of nutrition education as a strong component of a comprehensive integrated school health program.

Bylaws

Bylaws of the CNAC are available on the CDE CNAC Bylaws web page.

Composition

The CNAC is composed of 13 individuals representing different segments of the child nutrition community, including one representative of each of the following:

• State Department of Education
• School administrators
• School board members
• School food service directors
• School food service supervisors/managers
• Classroom teachers
• Curriculum coordinators
• Nutrition education specialists
• Lay persons
• Child care food program sponsors
• Secondary high school students
• Recognized parent–teacher organizations
• Qualified consultants specializing in nutrition, education, child care, or health and welfare

Term of Office

The CNAC members serve for a term of three years, except the student representative, who serves a one-year term. Members may be reappointed.

Members and Initiatives

The CNAC Member roster provides each member’s position, appointment date, and term expiration date. Currently, the CNAC has worked on the following initiatives: increasing access to school breakfast, access to meals during out of school time, and adequate time to eat.

Member Application Information

The CDE is currently accepting applications for the following positions:

• Classroom Teacher
• Curriculum Coordinator
• Parent–Teacher Association (PTA) or Organization (PTO) Representative
• Student Member

Eligibility Requirements

• CNAC Member: Candidates for the Classroom Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and PTA or PTO Representative positions must be currently acting in the respective role.
  
  
• CNAC Student Member: Candidates must be a public-school student, California resident, a junior or senior during School Year 2026–27.
  

Time Requirements

While meeting time frames are flexible, meetings usually occur in the months of January, May, and October; meeting dates are selected by CNAC members based on their availability. These one-day meetings are held remotely. Agendas and any accompanying materials are sent to members for review in advance of meetings.

Expenses Paid

Currently all meetings are held remotely. In the unlikely event travel is required, costs associated with transportation, lodging, and meals for the student and their chaperone will be reimbursed by the CDE following expenditure limits and cost allowances per state regulations.

Reasonable Accommodation for Any Individual with a Disability

Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in a meeting or function of the CNAC may request assistance by contacting the CNAC team, please email CNAC@cde.ca.gov.

CNAC Application

• CNAC member application form
  
  
• CNAC student member application form
  

Application Submission

The applicant must complete the appropriate online application. Hard copy applications will not be accepted. Assistance is available if needed.

Application Instructions

Application instructions are available by accessing the online member application links above. Note that the items listed below are required. All information is public record and applicants are encouraged to remove any personal information from these documents.

• Contact information
• Letters of Recommendation (LOR):
  • CNAC member:
    • Two LOR are required; one must be from an employer, if applicable.
    • If you are employed by a local educational agency, the employer letter must:
      • be written by the agency’s chief administration officer (typically the superintendent or designee);
      • recognize and approve the additional workload you would experience if appointed; and
      • acknowledge that the state will not provide reimbursement for the cost of any substitute personnel that may be needed as a result of your participation in the application process or, if appointed, service on the CNAC.
    • The LOR attachment must be a Microsoft Word (DOCX) or Portable Document Format (PDF) file.
  • Student member: One LOR is required from a current or previous teacher. Teachers may submit the LOR directly to the CNAC at CNAC@cde.ca.gov. The LOR attachment must be a Microsoft Word (DOCX) or Portable Document Format (PDF) file.
• Awards, Honors, or Commendations received (if applicable): This item is optional for Student members.
• CNAC members only:
  • Resume: Include your most recent resume.
  • References
  • Employment Experience
  • Educational Background
  • Professional Licenses and Certificates (if applicable)
  • Professional Affiliations (if applicable)
• Grades (Student member only): Must report the most recent grade point average from a report card or transcript.
• Optional items (student member only): May upload supporting documentation about yourself no earlier than seventh grade (e.g. newspaper clippings, articles, etc.). The optional items attachments must be in .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, DOCx, or PDF files.

Application Due Dates

CNAC professional member and student member applications are due by Friday, September 18, 2026.

Questions

For questions or assistance with accessing the application, email the CNAC team at CNAC@cde.ca.gov.

Staff Support

Nutrition Services Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 4503
Sacramento, CA 95814
800-952-5609

Principal Staff Contact

Kim Frinzell
Phone: 800-952-5609
Email: CNAC@cde.ca.gov

Public Involvement

The CNAC welcomes public involvement. Individuals interested in providing public comment at a CNAC meeting can do so through public input during a live meeting, by telephone (teletypewriter, also known as TTY, and fax available), and postal or electronic mail. Guidelines for Obtaining Input can be found on the CDE CNAC Guidelines web page.

Meeting Dates, Agendas, and Minute Summaries

Agenda and meeting minutes from previous meetings are available upon request. Please contact the CNAC team by email at CNAC@cde.ca.gov or the Education and Nutrition Policy Unit general line at 800-952-5609.