Dear Program Operator:
On July 16, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the new School Nutrition Programs (SNP) reimbursement rates for School Year (SY) 2026–27.
School Nutrition Programs Federal Reimbursement Rates
The annual federal reimbursement rate adjustments for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) reflect changes in the Food Away From Home series of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The annual rate adjustment for the School Milk Program reflects changes in the Producer Price Index for Fluid Milk Products.
A document detailing the SNP reimbursement rates for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, is available in the Download Forms section of the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System, Form ID: SNP Reimbursement Rates. A detailed breakdown of the reimbursement rates can also be found on the California Department of Education (CDE) 2026–27 Child Nutrition Program (CNP) Reimbursement Rates web page.
State Meal Reimbursement Rates
Public schools, charter schools, and county offices of education that certify in accordance with California Education Code (EC) Section 49430.7 are eligible for state meal reimbursement for each free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch served. The Proposition (Prop) 98 state meal reimbursement rate for SNPs has increased from $1.0015 to $1.0302.
All public schools, charter schools, and county offices of education serving meals in accordance with EC Section 49501.5 are authorized to receive state reimbursement for reduced-price and paid meals. State reimbursements, described in EC Section 49501.5, are provided such that the combined total of state and federal meal reimbursement received for reduced-price and paid meals equals the full reimbursement amount for that equivalent meal type, breakfast, or lunch, and need, basic or severe. As a reminder, any public school, charter school, or county office of education site not approved to operate both the NSLP and SBP, not serving both breakfast and lunch each school day, or not operating in compliance with state and federal laws, guidance and regulations for school meal programs will not be eligible for Prop 98 or this additional state reimbursement for any meals served at the applicable school site(s).
Detailed information on the state reimbursement rates can be found on the CDE 2026–27 CNP Reimbursement Rates web page.
Food Distribution Program Meal Rate
For SY 2026–27, the calculated USDA Foods per meal rate has increased one cent to $0.47. SNP operators can use this rate to estimate their SY 2026–2027 USDA Foods entitlement value by multiplying it by their total lunches served from the previous school year.
Contact Information
SNP: If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact your SNP Specialist. A list of SNP County Specialists is available on the CDE School Nutrition Programs Specialist Directory web page.
Food Distribution Program (FDP): If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact the FDP by email at FoodDistribution@cde.ca.gov.