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Availability of the 2026-27 Breakfast Grant

The final reminder for 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.

The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division would like to remind public school districts, county offices of education, and directly funded charter schools to apply for the School Year 2026–27 School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Meal Programs (SMP) Start-up and Expansion Grants.

Background Information

The State Legislature appropriates approximately $1.017 million in the annual state budget for SBP and SMP Start-up and Expansion Grants. California Education Code Section 49550.3, authorizes the CDE to award competitive grants of up to $15,000 per school site for nonrecurring expenses incurred when initiating or expanding an SBP or SMP.

For more information about the SBP and SMP grants and eligibility requirements, visit the CDE SBP and SMP Start-up and Expansion Grants web page.

Grant Application Package and Deadline

The grant application package and instructions for these grants are available on the CDE SBP and SMP Grant Request for Applications web page. Please note that school food authorities must complete the grant application online.

The online application closes on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 4 p.m., at which time the CDE will no longer accept applications.

Contact Information

If you have questions regarding this subject, please contact the Breakfast Grant team by email at breakfastgrant@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Friday, February 6, 2026
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