School Food Best Practices Apportionment Timeline
This listserv announces the timeline for the School Food Best Practices (SFBP) Apportionment of $100 million authorized under Section (Sec.) 133 of Assembly Bill (AB) 181. This funding will be available to School Nutrition Program (SNP) Operators that are school districts, county offices of education, or charters schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) through June 30, 2025. These funds are an excellent opportunity to support locally sourced, minimally processed, sustainably grown, and freshly prepared meals that can include plant-based or restricted diet options in your meal programs.
SFBP Apportionment Timeline
Month | Process |
---|---|
January 2023 | Per AB 181 the California Department of Education (CDE) and California Department of Food and Agriculture will agree upon the eligibility criteria for California-grown, whole or minimally processed, sustainably grown food, and plant-based or restricted diet food options by January 1, 2023. |
February 2023 | The CDE will post the eligibility criteria on the CDE website. |
March 2023 | The CDE will release an online registration form for SNP Operators to opt-in to receive the SFBP funds. |
June 2023 | The CDE will schedule payments to the SNP Operators eligible for the SFBP funds. |
The timeframes provided are approximate and CDE will provide updates of any changes during the Nutrition Services Division’s monthly Townhall Webinars. To register to attend visit the Tuesdays at 2 School Nutrition Town Hall web page.
The CDE will also announce information about the SFBP Apportionment under the Funding tab on the Nutrition What’s New web page.
SFBP Apportionment Background
Purpose of the SFBP Apportionment
AB 181 appropriated $100 million from the State of California’s General Fund to the CDE to fund procurement of California-grown or produced, sustainably grown, whole or minimally processed foods and plant-based or restricted diet meals; and increase the use of California-grown, whole or minimally processed foods in plant-based or restricted diet meals and preparation of fresh meals on site.
Eligible Agencies
An eligible local educational agency (LEA) is a school district, county office of education, or charter school, that sponsors either the NSLP or SBP.
Funding Amounts
All eligible LEAs can receive:
- $50,000 base amount,
- An additional amount allocated proportionately to the number of total NSLP and SBP meals claimed during October 2021, and
- An additional amount allocated proportionately to the LEAs total enrollment of pupils who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals
Contact Information
Contact Us
If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact the CDE SFBP Team by email at SFBP@cde.ca.gov.