Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

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 06, 2026
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Public Comment–Expanding Fluid Milk Options (added 01-Jun-2026)
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture invites public comment on the final rule codifying expanded fluid milk options Child Nutrition Program providers, following enactment of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.
  • Annual FDP Contract Packet Update Due July 31 (added 29-May-2026)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) reminds all participating agencies to submit their 2026–27 Food Distribution Program (FDP) contract in CNIPS by July 31, 2026.
  • Free Virtual Training Opportunities (added 29-May-2026)
    CalFresh Healthy Living Statewide Training is offering partners five new free training opportunities. Trainings include a combination of self-paced work and live online meetings, which include trauma-informed approaches, when possible.
  • State and Federal Emergency Declarations (added 28-May-2026)
    State and Federal Emergency Declarations due to Orange County Chemical Incident.
  • Updated UBA Template Now Available (added 28-May-2026)
    The California Department of Education is pleased to announce that an updated version of the Universal Benefits Application for the SUN Bucks program is now available.