Nutrition

The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) is committed to a well-nourished and educated California. We support and protect access to nutritious meals for children and adults in California to grow, learn, and thrive.

Our Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) offer meals and snacks in schools, child care and adult care centers, day care homes, parks, and other community agencies.

Together we serve nearly 6 million nutritious meals at over 34,000 locations daily.

Program News

Nutrition What's New
News and announcements relating to nutrition for program operators.
COVID-19 Guidance in the CNP
Provides background information, policy waivers, guidance, claiming and reimbursements requirements, resources, FAQs, and state agency contacts for program sponsors operating the Child Nutrition Programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meal Programs

School Nutrition Programs (SNP)
Information about meal, snack, and milk programs offered at public and private nonprofit schools and residential child care institutions. The SNPs include the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Special Milk Program, Seamless Summer Option and State Meal Program.
Child and Adult Care Food Program
This web page includes background information, steps on how to apply, the Administrative Manual, meal pattern requirements, claiming information, policy guidance, compliance, trainings, resources, and contacts for program operators.
Food Distribution Program (FDP)
Information about the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods, Department of Defense Fresh Program, distribution centers, and processing of USDA Foods.
Summer Food Service Programs
Federal meal programs for children from low-income areas during vacation and off-track periods.
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. 
Meal Programs–CalEdFacts page
Summary of meal programs offered in California.

Education, Training, and Professional Development

Food Service Education and Training
Education and training information for child nutrition professionals in school food service, nutrition, and food safety.
CNPs Course Catalog
A catalog of online courses for program operators participating in the CNPs.
CNPs Resource Library
A library of online resources for program operators participating in the CNPs.
Healthy Eating and Nutrition Education
Information about improving nutrition and establishing healthy eating habits in school, child care, adult, and afterschool settings. Includes information about local school wellness policies.

Program Resources

Disaster Guidance
Includes resources, claiming and reimbursement information, policy guidance, and contacts for all disasters that affect the CNPs
Administrative Review (AR)
An overview of the areas that will be reviewed during the AR by a Nutrition Program Consultant from the CDE NSD.
Appeal Process for CNPs
An overview of the appeal process for the CNPs administered by the CDE.
Child Nutrition Information and Payment System (CNIPS)
The CNIPS is an online system for local sponsors of federal food programs to easily submit and track the status of their applications, claims, changes, and commodity requests to the CDE.
Claim Reimbursements
Fiscal information to aid nutrition sponsors and to provide information about claiming meal reimbursements.
Food Program Data
CNPs data and statistics, including county profiles, free and reduced-price meals data, school meal nutrition analysis, and summer meal service sites.
Legislation, Regulations, and Policies
State and federal regulations and other CNP guidance including management bulletins and policy memoranda, proposed regulations, legislative reports, and policy recommendations for nutrition program administration.
Procurement in CNPs
Federal and state information for the procurement of food service related goods and services across all federally funded CNPs and the USDA Foods Program.
Rates, Eligibility Scales, and Funding
Reimbursement rates, annual eligibility scales, and funding information.
USDA Civil Rights and Complaints
USDA Food and Nutrition Service policies and procedures about nondiscrimination in the administration of the CNPs and FDP.

Program Operator Feedback

NSD Customer Service Survey
How can we help? Share your experience with us. Your experience with NSD and input is important to us. The NSD will use this feedback to improve our support and communication of information to CNP operators. This survey can be taken at any time.