Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

USDA Civil Rights and Complaints

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) policies and procedures about nondiscrimination in the administration of the child nutrition and food distribution programs.

Materials | Complaints | Resources

Federal Nondiscrimination Statement

Agencies must include the most current version of the federal nondiscrimination statement in a prominent location in all public information releases, publications, and on posters concerning nutrition program activities, except menus.

Short Statement

The short statement reads, "This institution is an equal opportunity provider." The short statement may be used on flyers, posters, or documents that are one page by nature, in a font no smaller than the text.

Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Civil Rights Materials

Civil Rights and Program Complaints

Effective July 1, 2020, Title 5, California Code of Regulations (5 CCR) has been updated to add sections 15580–15584. These new sections include state regulations on how the California Department of Education (CDE) NSD will process Child Nutrition Program (CNP) complaints.

The NSD will investigate local educational agency (LEA) complaints regarding meal counting and claiming, reimbursable meals, eligibility of child or adult, or use of cafeteria funds and allowable expenses. All other program complaints will be referred back to LEA for investigation through their Uniform Complaint Procedures process. The NSD will continue to investigate all non-LEA program complaints.

Sections 15580–15584 of 5 CCR can be found on the California Office of Administrative Law web page External link opens in new window or tab..

Please Note: Any complaints alleging discrimination will be forwarded to the USDA for investigation.

Complaints may be submitted to the NSD by contacting the Civil Rights and Complaints Coordinator by phone at 800-952-5609 or by email at cnpcomplaints@cde.ca.gov. For And Justice for All poster requests, please e-mail AJFAPosters@cde.ca.gov.

Civil Rights Resources

CDE Resources

  • Quality Assurance Process
    Resources to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

  • Available Translations of Program Materials
    Management Bulletin SNP-09-2016 detailing available translations from the USDA for Limited English Proficient (LEP) households.

  • School Nutrition Program Eligibility Materials
    This page contains links to available translations of the applications for LEP households for free and reduced-price meals, the approval/denial notification, and pricing/non-pricing letters to households.

Outside Resources

Follow @CDENutrition on Twitter.

Questions:   Complaints Coordinator | cnpcomplaints@cde.ca.gov | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Thursday, July 31, 2025
Related Content
  • School Nutrition
    Meal and milk programs offered at public and private non-profit schools and residential child care institutions.
  • Summer Meal Programs
    Federal meal programs for children from low-income areas during vacation and off-track periods, including summertime.
  • USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
    U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nondiscrimination statement for child nutrition program participants.
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Annual SNP Verification Requirements (added 10-Sep-2025)
    Reminder to complete the annual school nutrition program (SNP) verification activities.
  • USDA Rescinds 2022 Bostock Policy Update (added 10-Sep-2025)
    On July 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has officially rescinded the May 2022 Bostock policy update.
  • National Farm to Cafeteria Conference (added 05-Sep-2025)
    Join the National Farm to School Network at the 10th Farm to Cafeteria Conference in December 2025. The conference will address food sovereignty, farm to school best practices, climate-resilient agriculture, and equitable procurement strategies.
  • Farm to Summer Celebration Week- Post-Survey (added 05-Sep-2025)
    Summer Meal Program operators who participated in the Farm to Summer Celebration Week to are encouraged to complete a post-survey. Responses help improve the program and qualify agencies for recognition, including a certificate, online badge, etc.
  • Country Eggs LLC Recalls Eggs Due to Health Risk (added 28-Aug-2025)
    Country Eggs, LLC Recalls Large Brown Cage Free Eggs Due to Possible Health Risk.

  • 25–26 TASTE Incentive Grant Recipient Announcement (added 28-Aug-2025)
    A list of grantee recipients for the 2025–26 Try Agriculture Samples with Tastes and Education (TASTE) Incentive Grant.
  • USDA Foods Entitlement Meal Rate SY 2025–26 (added 28-Aug-2025)
    On August 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provided an updated estimated value of USDA Foods for School Year (SY) 2025–26.
  • Celebrating California School Meals Photo Contest (added 18-Aug-2025)
    The California Department of Education’s Farm to School program is holding a photo contest. CDE welcomes photos highlighting California’s diverse school meals programs; scratch cooked, locally sourced meals; and our school nutrition professionals.
  • REQUIRED: 2025–26 FFVP Orientation Trainings (added 15-Aug-2025)
    The CDE NSD requires all 2025–26 FFVP grantees to complete the mandatory FFVP Orientation Online Training Series before implementing the FFVP. The training series must be completed by no later than Monday, September 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. PST.
  • Action Required: Excess Net Cash Resources (added 12-Aug-2025)
    Provides information to program operators about excess net cash resources, the budget agreement process, and long-term noncompliance.