Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

School Nutrition

Meal and milk programs offered at public and private nonprofit schools and residential child care institutions.

Programs

California Universal Meals
Information about the background, policy, and resources regarding California’s Universal Meals Program.

School Breakfast Program
Information about applying for and administering the School Breakfast Program.

Meal Supplements (Snacks) Under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Information about applying for and administering after-school snacks under the National School Lunch Program.

Breakfasts and Snacks for Nonschoolaged Children
Includes overview, background, and program specific guidance on providing meals to nonschoolaged children.

National School Lunch Program
Information about applying for and administering the National School Lunch Program.

Seamless Summer Feeding Option (Seamless Option)

Information about the federal seamless 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.

Special Milk Program
Information about applying for and administering the Special Milk Program in camps and schools that do not participate in the federal meal programs.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Information about applying for and administering the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

Program Support

Administrative Review
Includes information, regulations, procedures, and updates on the School Nutrition Programs administrative review.

Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food & Nutrition Service policies and procedures about nondiscrimination in the administration of the child nutrition and food distribution programs.

Procurement in School Nutrition Programs
Regulations, requirements, and guidance governing all school food service procurements.

Forms
Forms and completed sample forms for use by School Nutrition Programs sponsors.

Guidance, Manuals, and Resources
The most recent guidance manuals, management bulletins, and other materials needed for proper administration of the school nutrition programs.

Mailing List
Sign up to receive School Nutrition Programs information via e-mail.

Contact Us

School Nutrition Programs Unit Directory
Directory of School Nutrition Program Specialists by county.

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Related Content
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • SFSP Application Deadline is May 15 (added 09-May-2024)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division would like to remind you that your summer meal application packets for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) are due May 15.
  • CNAC Student Member Recruitment Reminder (added 07-May-2024)
    The California Department of Education is currently recruiting applicants for the Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC) student member position.
  • USDA Final Rule: School Meal Standards (added 07-May-2024)
    This information announces the release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Final Rule for Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
  • Summer Meals: Rural Non-congregate Meal Service (added 03-May-2024)
    This management bulletin provides guidance on rural non-congregate meal service options in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Seamless Summer Option (SSO), collectively referred to as the Summer Meal Programs (SMP).
  • Cargill Meat Solutions Recalls Ground Beef Product (added 03-May-2024)
    Cargill Meat Solutions Recalls Ground Beef Products due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

  • CNAC Student Member Recruitment (added 03-May-2024)
    The State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC) is currently accepting applications for the student member position.
  • Summer EBT 2024 Benefit Issuance Timeline Update (added 03-May-2024)
    This communication provides additional information for school food authorities (SFA) about the 2024 Summer EBT (S-EBT) benefit issuance timeline and provides valuable resources SFAs may use when communicating with households.
  • Non-congregate Meal Service Options in Rural Areas (added 29-Apr-2024)
    This management bulletin provides guidance on non-congregate meal service options in rural areas in the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option.
  • Farm to Summer Celebration Week 2024 (added 26-Apr-2024)
    The F2Summer Celebration Week is a recognition program for summer meal program operators that complete three elements: 1) Taste, 2) Teach, and 3) Connect during the designated week of June 17–21, 2024.
  • Provision 2—Application Information (added 24-Apr-2024)
    The purpose of this announcement is to provide school food authorities with information on how to apply to participate in Provision 2 for the 2024-25 school year.