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School Food Best Practices Funds


The School Food Best Practices (SFBP) Funding allocation provides eligible local educational agencies (LEA) with state funds to implement any of the school food best practices stated in Assembly Bill (AB) 181 as part of serving reimbursable meals through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP).

Overview

On June 30, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 181 (Statutes of 2022) into law. This law appropriated $100 million from the State of California’s General Fund to the California Department of Education (CDE) to distribute to LEAs to expend on implementing any of the following best practices for school meals:

  • Procuring California-grown or produced, sustainably grown, whole or minimally processed foods to support equity in the procurement practices of local agencies;
  • Using California-grown, whole or minimally processed foods in plant-based or restricted diet meals for pupils;
  • Procuring plant-based or restricted diet meals for pupils in the procurement practices of LEAs; or
  • Freshly preparing meals on site.

Funds will be allocated to eligible LEAs, defined in statute as school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools that sponsor the USDA NSLP or SBP. Funding amounts are determined by the number of LEAs registering for funds and calculations as directed in statute.

These funds must be encumbered by June 30, 2025, and must be used for expenses incurred on or after the date the LEA received notification from the CDE of their award.

 

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, March 12, 2024
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