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Child Nutrition Advisory Council

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

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

Currently there are no recruitment activities for vacant CNAC positions.

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

Meeting Date Agenda Minute Summary
November 3, 2026 November 2026 Agenda Pending
May 19, 2026 May 2026 Agenda Pending
January 14, 2026 January 2026 Agenda January 2026 Minutes
October 8, 2025 October 2025 Agenda October 2025 Minutes
August 22, 2025 August 2025 Agenda August 2025 Minutes
April 30, 2025 April 2025 Agenda April 2025 Minutes
November 2, 2023 November 2023 Agenda November 2023 Minutes

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.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Friday, October 23, 2026
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