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State Meal Mandate

Management Bulletin (MB) SNP-05-2026: State Meal Mandate, has been updated to clarify existing guidance and outline the requirements for meals served under the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to also comply with applicable state meal pattern requirements outlined in California Education Code (EC) Section 49501.5.

The MB is available on the California Department of Education (CDE) School Nutrition Programs (SNP) MBs web page.

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding the subject, please contact your county’s SNP Specialist. A list of SNP Specialists is available on the CDE School Nutrition Programs Specialist Directory web page or you may contact the SNP Unit at SNPInfo@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Monday, March 2, 2026
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