National School Lunch Program
- California’s State Meal Mandate is expanded to include both a nutritiously adequate breakfast and lunch for all children each school day.
- California’s Universal Meals Program requires very high poverty schools to participate in a federal provision.
- The California State Legislature allocates funds to provide state meal reimbursement to cover the cost of the Universal Meals Program.
(310) 671-1416 or by email at [email protected]
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 required the US Department of Agriculture to establish nutrition standards for all foods sold in schools. The new Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards became effective July 1, 2014. This guidance provides updated nutrition standards for all foods and beverages sold on school campuses, to students during the school day, outside of the school meals programs. In California, these federal standards are combined with existing California law regarding competitive food sales on school campuses. This includes foods and beverages sold a la carte in school cafeterias, in school stores, at snack bars, through fundraising, from vending machines, and any other venues that sell food to students. The intent of the legislation is to increase the consumption of healthy foods during the school day and create an environment that reinforces the development of healthy eating habits.
The Smart Snacks standards do not apply to: (1) items sold more than 30 minutes after school ends, on weekends, or off and away from school grounds; or (2) foods brought from home for personal consumption.
Additional information about Smart Snacks in Schools is available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/
Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected].USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.