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Child Nutrition Information & Payment System (CNIPS)

CNIPS is a new Web-based system for local sponsors of federal food programs to more easily submit and track the status of their applications, claims, changes, and commodity requests to the CDE.
Important Notice: CACFP Program Moved to CDSS

The Early Childhood Development Act of 2020 (Senate Bill (SB) 98, Chapter 24, Statutes of 2020) authorized the transfer of child care and development programs administered by the California Department of Education to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) effective July 1, 2021. The content on this page may not be current and involves the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) that has moved to CDSS. Visit the CDSS CACFP web page External link opens in new window or tab. or call 1-833-559-2420 for more information.

What is the CNIPS?

The CNIPS External link opens in new window or tab. is the California Department of Education's (CDE) Web-based system for administering the federal and state Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch and Breakfast, Food Distribution, Special Milk, Child and Adult Care Food, Summer Food Service, and Seamless Summer Feeding Option programs. This system will significantly streamline, simplify, and modernize the ways in which local educational agencies (LEAs/sponsors) administer these programs, submit applications, site changes, claims for reimbursement, and other administrative actions such as training registration.

Child Nutrition Information and Payment System - CalEdFacts
This content is part of California Department of Education's information and media guide about education in the State of California. For similar information on other topics, visit the full CalEdFacts.

CNIPS Benefits

  • Submit applications, renewals/annual updates, claims for reimbursement, and site change requests online
  • Increase timeliness and accuracy of claims submission, processing, and payments
  • Reduce administrative burden on local agencies
  • Access site and agency information across programs

CNIPS System Requirements

  • A valid e-mail address
  • Access to the Internet using one of the following Web browsers:
    • Netscape 6.0 or later version
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or later version
    • Firefox 0.8 or later version
  • Adobe Reader 7.0 External link opens in new window or tab. or later version. This software is free.

File Layout Specifications

Food Distribution Program

School Nutrition Program

Training Registration

  • Course information, locations and registrations are available for CDE-sponsored trainings on the CNIPS Training RegistrationExternal link opens in new window or tab. Web page.

    • The CNIPS Training Registration Web page can be accessed from the CNIPS home page by clicking the Training Registration link located below the login box. 

    • Please note that some courses and trainings are only available to Child Nutrition Program sponsors.

  • For instructions on how to register, please visit the CNIPS Training RegistrationExternal link opens in new window or tab. Web page. 

Questions:   Help Desk | CNIPS@cde.ca.gov | 800-952-5609 Option 6
Last Reviewed: Thursday, June 10, 2021
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