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Expanded Capital Expenditure Approved List


The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the California Department of Education’s (CDE) request to expand the Capital Expenditure Approved List. This expansion contains equipment commonly purchased by School Food Authorities (SFAs), and now includes prep tables, serving counters, kiosks, sneeze guards, and cafeteria tables and chairs when exclusively used for food service. SFAs can purchase equipment from the updated list without obtaining prior approval from the CDE. The equipment list is available at the CDE Capital Expenditure Approved List web page.

Please remember that SFAs are responsible for ensuring that all School Nutrition Program expenditures are in support of the operation and improvement of school food service. CDE written approval is required for capital expenditures prior to purchase if the total per item acquisition cost is $10,000 or more and is not included on the Capital Expenditure Pre-Approved Equipment List. Failure to obtain CDE approval prior to purchase may result in disallowed costs during an administrative review. In addition, SFAs must follow all local, state, and federal procurement requirements when purchasing capital expenditures.

Resources

For more information about capital expenditures, please visit the CDE Allowable Costs web page, tab Capital Expenditures.

For more information about procurement, please visit the Procurement in School Nutrition Programs web page.

Contact Information

If you have questions regarding capital expenditures, please contact the Resource Management Unit by email at snpcafefundquestions@cde.ca.gov.

For questions regarding Procurement, please reach out to the Procurement Resources Unit at NSDProcurementReview@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
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