Summer Meal Programs
Federal meal programs for children from low-income areas during vacation and off-track periods.Announcements
The California Department of Education (CDE) provides all announcements relating to the summer meal programs on the CDE Nutrition What's New web page. Announcement topics include policy requirements, management bulletins, disaster information, food recalls, trainings, funding opportunities, recognition programs, and more.
Application Deadlines
New and Returning Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Applicants
The CDE requires that new and returning SFSP applicant sponsors submit complete and correct SFSP application packets through the Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) no later than 30 calendar days prior to the first SFSP meal service day, or May 15, whichever comes first. These deadlines do not apply to sponsors applying to serve in areas impacted by an unanticipated school closure during the period from October through April (or at any time of the year in an area with a continuous school calendar). For information regarding the application deadlines, review the SFSP Application Deadlines management bulletin.
New SFSP Applicants
To learn how to apply to the SFSP, visit the CDE Summer Food Service Program web page and select the New Sponsors tab.
Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Applicants
To apply for the SSO, school food authorities (SFAs) must update their CNIPS account by adding participating SSO sites to the site application(s). SFAs should apply at least 30 days prior to the start of their SSO program.
Programs
- Summer Food Service Program
Information on how to apply for the SFSP, meal pattern requirements, resources, and other guidance for organizations that participate in the program.
- Seamless Summer Option
Information on how to apply for the SSO, meal pattern requirements, resources, Frequently Asked Questions, and contacts for SSO program operators.
- Non-congregate Meal Service Option in Rural Areas
Information on how to operate a non-congregate meal service option in rural areas at summer meal sites.
Summer Meal Locations
Provides parents and referral agencies with a list of locations where children may receive free nutritious meals during school vacation and off-track periods.
- Summer Meal Service Sites
California state map with county-by-county listings of sponsors and meal service sites.
- Find Summer Meal Sites with Your Phone
The CA Meals for Kids mobile application helps you find nearby California Afterschool and Summer Meal Programs Sites through your iOS, Android, or Microsoft devices.
Summer Meal Site Eligibility Tools
- CDE Management Bulletin CNP-01-2026
The CDE’s guidance on determining area eligibility at summer meal sites.
- CDE School Nutrition Programs Provisions Data(XLSX)
Alternative claiming provision (e.g., the Community Eligibility Provision or Provision 2) status information for school sites participating in the School Nutrition Programs.
- Free or Reduced-Price Meal (Student Poverty) Data
Eligibility data for school sites participating in the SNP that are not on an alternative claiming provision.
- USDA Area Eligibility Mapper for Summer Meal Sites
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s census eligibility mapping tool.