California School Lunch Program
Food Assistance · California · Free
Since 2022, California has been the first state to guarantee free breakfast and lunch to all public school students regardless of family income, through Universal Meals. CDE administers federal NSLP and SBP plus state supplements totaling over
billion annually. Mothers don't need to apply or qualify—every TK-12 public school student eats free—but completing the LCFF Supplemental Form helps schools access additional funding.
Contact & Details
Address: Statewide program
Phone: (916) 322-6027
Hours: During school hours
More Food Assistance in California
- California CalFresh (SNAP) — CalFresh is California's name for SNAP, administered by CDSS through 58 county offices and accessible online via GetCalFresh or BenefitsCal.
- California Association of Food Banks — CAFB at 1624 Franklin in Oakland coordinates 41 member food banks distributing 700+ million pounds of food across all 58 California counties
- California WIC Program — California WIC at CDPH serves over 1 million pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding mothers plus children under 5 with monthly food benefit
- LA Regional Food Bank — LA Regional Food Bank at 1734 E 41st distributes over 100 million pounds of food annually to 700+ partner agencies across LA County—the larg
- San Francisco-Marin Food Bank — SF-Marin Food Bank on Pennsylvania Avenue in San Francisco's Potrero Hill serves 60,000+ households weekly across San Francisco and Marin co
- Feeding San Diego — Feeding San Diego on Waples Street is the largest food rescue organization in the county, distributing 41+ million pounds annually through 3