Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Updated Competitive Foods Management Bulletins


The Nutrition Services Division (NSD) has updated and consolidated the following competitive foods guidance. These updates are based on changes to state and federal requirements:

  • SNP-04-2025 Competitive Foods and Beverages Overview
  • SNP-05-2025 Competitive Food and Beverage Entrées, Nutrient Standards, and Exemptions
  • SNP-06-2025 Competitive Foods and Beverages—Determining Compliant Beverages

These management bulletins are posted on the School Nutrition Programs (SNP) Management Bulletins web page.

Background

The U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture released the Final Rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans External link opens in new window or tab., on April 24, 2024.

Title 5 California Code of Regulations, sections 15575-15578 External link opens in new window or tab. which provide state guidance on competitive foods were updated and effective on April 1, 2025.

Contact Information

For questions or additional information on this topic, contact the Competitive Foods team at CompetitiveFoods@cde.ca.gov.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Monday, July 07, 2025
Related Content
  • Competitive Foods and Beverages
    Information on competitive foods and beverages including definitions, background, compliance, resources, policy guidance, and frequently asked questions for sponsors participating in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program.
  • Competitive Foods Reference - Charter or Private
    A resource to assist groups or individuals that sell foods and beverages to students, during the school day, on the school campus, outside of the school meal program.
  • Food Service Staff Education and Training
    Information for new School Nutrition Program (SNP) professionals and an overview of the School Nutrition and Summer Nutrition Programs, online trainings, resources, and program contact information.
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Celebrating California School Meals Photo Contest (added 18-Aug-2025)
    The California Department of Education’s Farm to School program is holding a photo contest. CDE welcomes photos highlighting California’s diverse school meals programs; scratch cooked, locally sourced meals; and our school nutrition professionals.
  • REQUIRED: 2025–26 FFVP Orientation Trainings (added 15-Aug-2025)
    The CDE NSD requires all 2025–26 FFVP grantees to complete the mandatory FFVP Orientation Online Training Series before implementing the FFVP. The training series must be completed by no later than Monday, September 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. PST.
  • Action Required: Excess Net Cash Resources (added 12-Aug-2025)
    Provides information to program operators about excess net cash resources, the budget agreement process, and long-term noncompliance.
  • SNP Reimbursement Rates for 2025-26 (added 12-Aug-2025)
    This web page provides the School Nutrition Programs (SNP) reimbursement rates for the 2025-26 school year.
  • 2024 Turnip the Beet Award Winners (added 12-Aug-2025)
    The California Department of Education Nutrition Services Division would like to congratulate 21 California school districts for receiving a 2024 Turnip the Beet Award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.