Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Meal Programs - CalEdFacts

This content is part of California Department of Education's information and media guide about education in the State of California. For similar information on other topics, visit the full 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.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, June 05, 2024
Related Content
  • After School
    Provides after school program operators with background information, a comparison chart of available programs, meal pattern charts, directions on how to apply, claiming instructions, policy guidance, resources, and more.
  • Food Programs
    Child nutrition programs data and statistics, including county profiles, free and reduced price data, school meal nutrition analysis, and summer meal service sites.
  • School Nutrition
    Meal and milk programs offered at public and private non-profit schools and residential child care institutions.
  • Summer Meal Programs
    Federal meal programs for children from low-income areas during vacation and off-track periods, including summertime.
Recently Posted in Nutrition

  • 4Earth Farms, LLC. Recalls Vegetables (added 03-Dec-2024)
    4Earth Farms, LLC. Recalls Organic and Conventional Vegetable Medleys and Organic Whole Carrots.
  • Sunfed Produce, LLC Recalls Whole Cucumbers (added 03-Dec-2024)
    SunFed Produce, LLC (SunFed) is recalling all sizes of whole fresh American cucumbers packaged in bulk cardboard containers.
  • New DoD Prime Vendor for Southern California (added 03-Dec-2024)
    Effective December 1, 2024, a new Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program prime vendor will begin servicing the California Department of Education (CDE) Food Distribution Program (FDP) participants in Southern California.
  • Applying Geographic Preference in Procurement (added 03-Dec-2024)
    Updates to official policies surrounding Geographic Preference in Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations 200.319 and Title 7 Code of Federal Regulations 210.21(a).
  • Applying Geographic Preference in Procurement (added 25-Nov-2024)
    Updates to official policies surrounding Geographic Preference in Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations 200.319 and Title 7 Code of Federal Regulations 210.21(a).