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Free school meals (every TK-12 student)
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Free school meals (every TK-12 student)

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Category
Food
Children
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Eligibility
every TK‑12 student
Auto Summary
California law requires all public TK‑12 schools, including charter schools, to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student daily, with no application needed; the 2026‑27 state budget continues funding this universal meals program.
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No content
Espanol
Comidas escolares gratuitas (todos los estudiantes de TK-12)
URL
cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/s...eals.asp
Verified 2026-07-02 (TechEMPOWER screener corpus — techempower.org/qualify; statute + state budget checked).
California schools must serve every TK-12 student a free breakfast and a free lunch each school day — regardless of family income, with no application. That's state law (Education Code §49501.5, in effect since school year 2022-23), and it applies to public school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools.

Good to know

  • Nothing to sign up for — meals are served at school. Ask your school office about breakfast times.
  • The signed 2026-27 state budget (June 29, 2026) continues universal school meals funding.
  • The universal mandate covers public and charter schools (not private schools).

Sources