Adequate Time to Eat Survey

The California Department of Education (CDE) on behalf of the Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC) is requesting your participation in a voluntary survey to gather information on current practices and policies in California’s schools pertaining to Adequate Time to Eat (ATE) strategies.

Due Date: Friday, October 30, 2026

Survey Link

Estimated Completion Time: 20 minutes

Recommended Respondents

School staff who are knowledgeable about seat time policies, implementation, practices, and related student support systems are encouraged to complete the survey.

Prior to completing the survey, consider reviewing the ATE Fact Sheet available on the CDE’s Ensuring Adequate Time to Eat web page (PDF).

Contact Information

Please submit questions about the survey to CNAC@cde.ca.gov.

Questions: Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609

Last Reviewed: Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Related Content

Child Nutrition Advisory Council
Background and member information for the Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC).
Ensuring Adequate Time to Eat
This web page provides background information, best practices, and resources to support a healthy school environment and adequate seat time for students to eat their school meals.

Trending in Nutrition

Recently Posted in Nutrition

October 27, 2026 Tuesday at 2 Town Hall Resources (added 13-Nov-2026)
The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) hosted the monthly Tuesday @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall webinar October 27, 2026.
Intersessional Meals Grant (added 12-Nov-2026)
The Intersessional Meals Grant is a one-time, state funded grant that supports local educational agencies (LEA) in providing at least one free meal per day to children in low-income areas during school intersessional periods of less than ten days.
Availability of the 2026 EAG Grant (added 10-Nov-2026)
Provides guidance on 2026 EAG grant requirements and instructions to apply.
California’s 2025 Turnip the Beet Award Winners (added 28-Oct-2026)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the national list of 2025 Turnip the Beet (TUB) winners.
Intersessional Meals Grant Opt-in Application (added 27-Oct-2026)
Opt-in for the Intersessional Meals Grant using the Online Application.

Child Nutrition Advisory Council – November 2026 (added 23-Oct-2026)
Agenda for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC)
Tuesdays @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall 10/27/26 (added 21-Oct-2026)
School Nutrition Town Hall webinar for School Nutrition Program Operators and Food Service Directors.
Kayem Foods Recalls Meat and Poultry Products (added 21-Oct-2026)
Kayem Foods Inc. Recalls Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Temperature Abuse.
Adequate Time to Eat Survey (added 14-Oct-2026)
The purpose of this survey is to gather information regarding school and district practices and perceptions related to evidence-based Adequate Time to Eat (ATE) recommendations.
MB FDP-01-2026 Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods (added 07-Oct-2026)
The FNS Instruction 709-5, Revision 4 applies to local educational agencies and other entities that receive USDA Foods directly from a USDA-contracted vendor. It does not apply to USDA Foods received from a State distribution center, Co-op, or a cont