Students at public schools across California can continue to receive at least two free meals a day at school this academic year, thanks to a state initiative launched during the pandemic.
Under California’s Universal Meals Program, all public school students in grades transitional kindergarten through 12, regardless of their parents’ income, are eligible for free breakfast and lunch.
Parents do not have to apply, and it does not matter whether the child is eligible for the free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program.
All students will be automatically enrolled in the Universal Meals Program.
Students are not required to participate: instead, meals will be served to the students who ask for them.
Parents will be sure that their children can get at least two free, full meals at schools daily and will not have to incur the expense for preparing breakfast and lunch for them on school days.