Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

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) External link opens in new window or tab. 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

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.

Follow @CDENutrition on Twitter.


Questions:   Summer Nutrition Programs and Grants Unit | SFSP@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Monday, November 25, 2024
Related Content
  • Procurement in School Nutrition Programs
    Federal procurement regulations when contracting with food service management companies (FSMC), vendors, or competitively procuring food.
  • Seamless Summer Option (SSO)
    Information about the federal Seamless Summer Option opportunity that allows public schools to combine features of the School Nutrition Programs and the Summer Food Service Program along with reduced paperwork requirements.
  • Summer Food Service Program Information
    Administrative and operational information and guidance for organizations that participate in the program.
  • Summer Meal Service Sites
    Provides parents and referral agencies with a list of locations where children may receive free nutritious meals during school vacation and off-track periods.
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • President Biden Approves Disaster Declaration (added 10-Jan-2025)
    President Biden approves Major Disaster Declaration to aid response efforts for the wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area.
  • Buy American Provision (added 10-Jan-2025)
    The Buy American provision is a procurement standard that SFAs must comply with when purchasing food products served in School Nutrition Programs (SNP). SFAs are required to purchase domestic commodities or products to the maximum extent practicable.
  • NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant: Allowable Costs (added 10-Jan-2025)
    The USDA issued Policy Memo SP 06-2025: National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Assistance Grants (EAG): Installation Expenditures which provides guidance on costs related to installing and using new equipment purchased with EAG funds.
  • Governor Newsom Proclaims State of Emergency (added 08-Jan-2025)
    Governor Newsom proclaims state of emergency to support the communities impacted by the Palisades Fire.
  • Buy American Provision (added 08-Jan-2025)
    This management bulletin provides school food authorities (SFAs) with updates to the Buy American requirements included in the final rule titled Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

  • FFAVORS new requirement (added 08-Jan-2025)
    Effective January 5, 2025, (FFAVORS) user are now required to receipt within 2 business days of receipt of product or required delivery date (RDD).
  • CNIPS Update (added 06-Jan-2025)
    Transition of Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS) server hosting and maintenance from California Department of Technology to California Department of Education (CDE).
  • October 22, 2024 Tuesday at 2 Town Hall Resources (added 03-Jan-2025)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) hosted the monthly Tuesday @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall webinar October 22, 2024.
  • SNP-11-2024 Final Rule: Fluid Milk Substitutions (added 17-Dec-2024)
    This MB updates and replaces USDA-CNP-04-2010, related to Fluid Milk Substitutions in SNPs to align with the Final Rule.
  • Final Rule: Fluid Milk Substitutions (added 13-Dec-2024)
    This management bulletin updates and replaces USDA-CNP-04-2010, related to Fluid Milk Substitutions in School Nutrition Programs to align with the Final Rule.