Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Child Nutrition Information & Payment System (CNIPS)

CNIPS is a new Web-based system for local sponsors of federal food programs to more easily submit and track the status of their applications, claims, changes, and commodity requests to the CDE.

What is the CNIPS?

The CNIPS External link opens in new window or tab. is the California Department of Education's (CDE) Web-based system for administering the federal and state Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch and Breakfast, Food Distribution, Special Milk, Child and Adult Care Food, Summer Food Service, and Seamless Summer Feeding Option programs. This system will significantly streamline, simplify, and modernize the ways in which local educational agencies (LEAs/sponsors) administer these programs, submit applications, site changes, claims for reimbursement, and other administrative actions such as training registration.

Child Nutrition Information and Payment System - 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.

CNIPS Benefits

  • Submit applications, renewals/annual updates, claims for reimbursement, and site change requests online
  • Increase timeliness and accuracy of claims submission, processing, and payments
  • Reduce administrative burden on local agencies
  • Access site and agency information across programs

CNIPS System Requirements

  • A valid e-mail address
  • Access to the Internet using one of the following Web browsers:
    • Netscape 6.0 or later version
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or later version
    • Firefox 0.8 or later version
  • Adobe Reader 7.0 External link opens in new window or tab. or later version. This software is free.

File Layout Specifications

Food Distribution Program

School Nutrition Program

Training Registration

  • Course information, locations and registrations are available for CDE-sponsored trainings on the CNIPS Training RegistrationExternal link opens in new window or tab. Web page.

    • The CNIPS Training Registration Web page can be accessed from the CNIPS home page by clicking the Training Registration link located below the login box. 

    • Please note that some courses and trainings are only available to Child Nutrition Program sponsors.

  • For instructions on how to register, please visit the CNIPS Training RegistrationExternal link opens in new window or tab. Web page. 

Questions:   Help Desk | CNIPS@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Friday, April 14, 2023
Related Content
  • Nutrition
    Resources and information related to child nutrition, nutrition education, food distribution programs, and the Child Nutrition and Physical Activity Advisory Council.
  • Nutrition Fiscal Services Analyst Directory
    Fiscal information to aid nutrition sponsors and to provide information about claiming meal reimbursements.
Recently Posted in Nutrition

  • Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas (added 06-Mar-2024)
    The USDA announced the release of an updated policy memorandum, SFSP 07-2024, SP 13-2024: Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas Questions and Answers.
  • 2024–25 FFVP Request for Applications Available (added 06-Mar-2024)
    The CDE NSD announces a grant opportunity for elementary schools to participate in the FFVP. The FFVP grant period is July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025. All eligible agencies, both current FFVP grantees and new applicants, must respond online to this RFA.
  • January 23, 2024 Tuesday at 2 Town Hall Resources (added 06-Mar-2024)
    The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) hosted the monthly Tuesday @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall webinar January 23, 2024.
  • Summer EBT 2024 Announcement (added 01-Mar-2024)
    This communication provides information for school food authorities (SFA) about 2024 Summer EBT (S-EBT) benefit issuance and timeline, automatic eligibility determinations, SFA support, toolkit resources for households, and contact information.
  • State Agency Monitoring in the SFSP (added 01-Mar-2024)
    The USDA issued Policy Memo SFSP 06-2024: State agency Monitoring in the Summer Food Service Program.