Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Standardizing Recipes

The Child Nutrition Programs Standardizing Recipes online training.

Course Description

In this interactive module, you will learn how standardizing recipes for Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) is key to ensuring children and adults receive the calories and nutrients they need the CNP meals. You will learn to identify steps to accurately increase or decrease recipe yield to meet meal requirements, and access sample standardized recipes and resources to create standardized recipes for breakfast, lunch, snack, or supper.

The content of this training focuses on applying standardized recipes in School Nutrition Programs, however, the information is applicable to meal service in all CNPs.

  • Course Number: 655
  • Training Length: 30 minutes
  • Certificate: Available at the end of the training
  • Target Audience: Food Service Director and Staff
  • Mandatory: No
  • Cost: Free
  • Date Recorded: August 2017

Online Course

Begin the Standardizing Recipes External link opens in new window or tab. course.

Referenced Resources

Crediting

  • Crediting: 0.5 hour
  • Key Area: Nutrition (1000)
    • Training Topic: Menu Planning (1100)
      • Learning Objective: Write Standardized Recipes (1140)

For more information on crediting, access the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) web document Professional Standards Learning Objectives External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)

Additional Information

  • USDA Food Buying Guide External link opens in new window or tab. manual assists with buying the right amount and the appropriate type of food, and determine the specific contribution each food makes toward the meal pattern requirements.

  • Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) Basic Culinary Math for School Nutrition Professionals External link opens in new window or tab. training provides participants the opportunity to review and practice basic culinary math skills.

  • CDE California Culinary Centers Standardized Recipes web page provides a collection of standardized recipes to support schools across California in creating recipes and preparing menus to meet the National School Lunch Program meal pattern.

Please note that the USDA Mixing Bowl, referenced in the training, has been replaced with resources in Team Nutrition: Team Nutrition | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov) External link opens in new window or tab.. Some are listed here:

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact SNPInfo@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | SNPInfo@cde.ca.go | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Related Content
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Webinar: Tuesday at 2 School Nutrition Town Hall (added 05-Jun-2026)
    School Nutrition Town Hall webinar for School Nutrition Program Operators and Food Service Directors.
  • 2026 SUN Bucks UBA Reporting (added 05-Jun-2026)
    Information on upcoming 2026 SUN Bucks Universal Benefits Application Reporting.
  • Public Comment–Expanding Fluid Milk Options (added 01-Jun-2026)
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture invites public comment on the final rule codifying expanded fluid milk options Child Nutrition Program providers, following enactment of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.
  • Annual FDP Contract Packet Update Due July 31 (added 29-May-2026)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) reminds all participating agencies to submit their 2026–27 Food Distribution Program (FDP) contract in CNIPS by July 31, 2026.
  • Free Virtual Training Opportunities (added 29-May-2026)
    CalFresh Healthy Living Statewide Training is offering partners five new free training opportunities. Trainings include a combination of self-paced work and live online meetings, which include trauma-informed approaches, when possible.