Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Overview: Competitive Food and Beverage Rules

The School Nutrition Programs Overview, Definitions, and Resources: Competitive Food and Beverage Rules online training.

Course Description

If you sell foods and beverages to students, on school campus, during the school day, and outside of the school meal program, this online training series is for you! As the first of 11 trainings, this course provides an overview of the federal, state, and local competitive food and beverage requirements, including key definitions and resources to help you stay compliant.

  • Course Number: 215

  • Training Length: One hour

  • Certificate: Available at the end of the training

  • Target Audience: Any entity selling foods and beverages to students, on school campus, during the school day, and outside of the federally reimbursable school meal programs

  • Mandatory: No

  • Cost: Free

  • Date Recorded: November 2019

Online Course

Begin the Overview, Definitions, and Resources: Competitive Food and Beverage Rules course

Referenced Resources

The following lists and handouts are referenced throughout this online course:

Crediting

  • Crediting: One hour

  • Key Area: Administration (3000)
    • Training Topic: Program Management (3200)
      • Learning Objective: Healthy School Environment (3230)

For more information on crediting, see the U.S. Department of Agriculture Professional Standards Learning Objectives External link opens in new window or tab.

Additional Information

For more information regarding competitive food and beverage rules, see the CDE Competitive Foods and Beverages web page.

Contact Us

If you have technical difficulties, please contact the Education and Nutrition Policy Unit by phone at 916-445-9127 for assistance. For questions regarding the course content, contact the Competitive Foods team by email at CompetitiveFoods@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Related Content
  • Child Nutrition Programs Course Catalog
    A catalog of online training courses for program operators participating in the Child Nutrition Programs.
  • Child Nutrition Programs Resource Library
    A library of online resources for program operators participating in the Child Nutrition Programs.
  • Competitive Foods and Beverages
    Information on competitive foods and beverages including definitions, background, compliance, resources, policy guidance, and frequently asked questions for sponsors participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.
  • Food Service Staff Education and Training
    Information for new School Nutrition Program (SNP) professionals and an overview of the School Nutrition and Summer Nutrition Programs, online trainings, resources, and program contact information.
  • Healthy Eating & Nutrition Education
    Information about improving nutrition and establishing healthy eating habits in school, child care, adult and after school settings.
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Sponsor - 2026 (added 15-Jan-2026)
    Summer Food Service Program Sponsors Survey for summer 2026.
  • Salad Bars in the School Nutrition Programs (added 15-Jan-2026)
    Management Bulletin SNP-02-2026 clarifies that program operators will incur fiscal action for meal pattern violations when there are missing meal components or missing production records.
  • Waiver for Non-congregate Meals During Ramadan (added 14-Jan-2026)
    The Waiver for Non-congregate Meals During Ramadan allows approved school food authorities to offer non-congregate meals to students fasting during Ramadan.
  • Salad Bars in the School Nutrition Programs (added 14-Jan-2026)
    This management bulletin clarifies that program operators will incur fiscal action for meal pattern violations when there are missing meal components or missing production records.
  • Availability of the 2026-27 Breakfast Grant (added 08-Jan-2026)
    The School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Meal Programs (SMP) Start-up and Expansion Grants, administered by the California Department of Education, provide schools with funding to start-up or expand their SBP and SMP.