Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Enhancing the School Food Safety Program


Nutrition Services Division Management Bulletin

Purpose: Policy, Action Required, Beneficial Information

To: School Nutrition Programs Sponsors

Number: USDA-SNP-15-2011

Attention: Food Service Directors

Date: December 2011

Subject: Enhancing the School Food Safety Program

Reference: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Policy Memo SP 37-2011

This management bulletin notifies School Nutrition Program sponsors of the U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements for all food safety programs (FSPs) operated in a school.  

This requirement pertains to participants of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and the NSLP Afterschool Snack Program.

Background

On December 13, 2010, President Obama signed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (Act), reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Programs. Section 302 of the Act amended section 9(h)(5) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, by modifying requirements for school FSPs. It requires that school FSPs apply the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles not only to the cafeteria but also to any facility where food is stored, prepared, or served.

Requirements

Standard operating procedures in school FSPs must be updated to include any facility or part of a facility where food is stored, prepared, or served. The HACCP principles for food served in the cafeteria apply to all other facilities and can include, but are not limited to the following:

  • School buses
  • Hallways on school campuses
  • School courtyards
  • Kiosks
  • Classrooms

Implementation

These requirements have been effective since July 1, 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact the School Nutrition Program Unit at SNPInfo@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | SNPInfo@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, February 04, 2026
Related Content
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • 2026–27 FFVP Grant Recipient Announcement (added 31-Jul-2026)
    On July 30, 2026, the CDE NSD awarded and posted the FFVP first allocation grant recipients and funding allocations for School Year 2026–27 on the CDE FFVP Funding Results web page. The FFVP first allocation is July 1, 2026–September 30, 2026.
  • Local School Wellness Policy Final Rule--Revised (added 29-Jul-2026)
    Management Bulletin SNP-03-2026: The Local School Wellness Policy Final Rule (Revised) provides additional information explaining the requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's local school wellness policy requirements.
  • Competitive Food and Beverages Definition of Sold (added 29-Jul-2026)
    Management Bulletin SNP-28-2014, AB 626 (Skinner), EC 49430(f): Competitive foods and beverages: implementing the definition sold.
  • Farm to Summer Celebration Week 2026: Post-Survey (added 17-Jul-2026)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) recognizes SMP operators who complete the three key elements during the F2Summer Celebration Week: 1) Taste, 2) Teach, and 3) Connect.
  • Powering Up with Plant-based Menus and Marketing (added 16-Jul-2026)
    The School Nutrition Programs Powering Up with Plant-based Menus and Marketing online training.