Meal Programs - CalEdFacts

On an average day in California, over 4 million nutritious meals are served at over 12,000 locations. These meals are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, and the Summer Food Service Program. The California Department of Education (CDE) disburses over $4 billion in federal and state funds to support schools, parks, and other eligible community agencies in providing nutritious meals and snacks. In 2022–23, the CDE distributed over $232 million in USDA Foods to eligible public and private nonprofit agencies throughout the state for use in preparing meals.