Free/reduced-price meals

October 12, 2022

How California schools can deliver on the promise of universal meals

At a moment when school nutrition directors are facing unprecedented challenges — rising food costs, widespread staff shortages, supply chain uncertainty — here are five practical things schools can do to provide nutritious, fulfilling meals to all California students.

Kirsten Saenz Tobey

August 16, 2022

Healthier options on the menu as California begins providing free meals for all students

California districts are using increased state and local funding to improve the free school meals offered to all students

Ali Tadayon

July 27, 2021

Free school meals for all here to stay in California

California will launch a universal school meals program in the 2022-23 school year, ensuring all students have access to stigma-free food.

Ali Tadayon

May 10, 2021

Let's make free school meals for all permanent in California

One of the best ways to help students improve their academic performance is to nourish their bodies as well as their minds.

Trieste Huey and Stephanie Bruce

April 8, 2021

California moving to pioneer free meals for all students

A Senate bill that's gaining traction could lead to free school meals for all California K-12 students starting 2022-23. 

Ali Tadayon

March 15, 2020

While California holds off on ordering all schools closed, expected closures escalate rapidly throughout state

Over 90 percent of California students are either out of school now or projected to be in the next few days as rural schools also begin to close in larger numbers.

Louis Freedberg

March 15, 2020

In his own words: Gov. Newsom on why he’s not ordering all California schools to close

Newsom said he’s not ready to override superintendents in mainly small, rural districts that will remain open.

EdSource staff

October 15, 2019

Full-day kindergarten, STEM seal, Laotian history are among Gov. Newsom’s final vetoes

Here are a half-dozen K-12 and early education bills that the governor vetoed or signed on the last day crunch — and why.

John Fensterwald

August 2, 2019

School lunch could be slashed for thousands of California children under new proposal

Families who would no longer qualify for food stamps under a new proposed rule will also lose their automatic eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals.

Zaidee Stavely

October 5, 2018

With bill signings, Gov. Brown makes his final mark on California education

A rundown of the governor’s decisions on some of the most-watched education legislation that crossed his desk this year.

David Washburn And John Fensterwald

June 20, 2018

California falls short in underwriting meals for state's youngest children

Continued lack of state investment in Child and Adult Care Food Program means fewer child care providers can offer free meals.

Franny Wong