Description
The Intersessional Meals Grant (IMG) is a one-time, state funded grant administered by the California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division.
This grant provides funds for public school districts, county offices of education and direct funded charter schools to support providing at least one free meal per day to children in low-income areas in which at least fifty percent of children are eligible for Free and Reduced-Price meals during school intersessional periods of less than ten days. This funding is intended for use during the 2026 – 2027 school year. Funding allocations will be determined by the CDE once the opt-in period closes on November 9, 2026, at 4pm. An example of a potential funding allocation amount if all eligible public-school districts, county offices of education and direct funded charter schools opt-in to the state grant would be approximately $12,500 per grantee.
Meals provided through the intersessional meals grant may be served in a congregate, non-congregate, or hybrid manner. Non-congregate meals may be served via unitized, bulk or multi-day meal distribution models. Families must be informed about the meal services before the service is provided.
Grant funds must solely be used for costs directly associated with providing meals. Allowable costs include expenses such as food and labor.
Conditions and Requirements
Capital expenditures are not allowable under the terms and conditions of this grant.
Grantees must not commingle funds from this state-funded grant with any federal funds. Grant funds must be maintained separately from any federally funded programs or accounts.
This is not a reimbursement grant program. The CDE will distribute funding allocations based on the number of eligible Local Educational Agencies (LEA) that apply.
One hundred percent of the allocated funds will be provided to the LEA up front.
This is not a reimbursement grant. Therefore, funding amounts for LEAs will not be determined by the number of meals served nor the number of meal sites that apply. If a grantee’s actual allowable costs exceed the amount provided in this grant allocation, then, non-cafeteria funds must be used to cover the additional costs.
Grantees are required to report grant results to the CDE. Failure to report grant results may result in the CDE requesting that the grantee return the grant funds.
Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this attestation may result in the LEA being billed for the full amount allocated for the applicable grant period.
How Do I Apply?
To apply for the Intersessional Meals Grant, you must fill out and complete the Intersessional Meals Grant Opt-In Online form by November 9, 2026.
Next Steps
After opting in, grantees will be informed of their grant award amount and will be required to provide more detailed information regarding their intersessional meal distribution plans which include but are not limited to the following:
- Specific Site address(es)
- Area eligibility data
- Meal service type(s) (breakfast, lunch, or supper) and the method of meal distribution (Congregate or Non-congregate or Hybrid service)
- Community outreach method(s)
Contact Information
If you have any questions or need assistance regarding the Intersessional Meals Grant, please contact the IMG team by email at IMGrant@cde.ca.gov.