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Free school meals (every TK-12 student)

Phone number
none — ask your school office about breakfast times
Category
Food
Children
Auto tags
Eligibility
Every TK-12 student at California public and charter schools — no application, no income requirement (universal since school year 2022-23 under Ed. Code §49501.5).
Auto Summary
California law requires all public TK‑12 schools, including charter schools, to provide every student with a free breakfast and lunch each school day, with no application needed, and the 2026‑27 state budget continues funding this universal meals program.
Value
Two free meals a day — breakfast and lunch — for every TK-12 student at public and charter schools, no application and no income requirement
Espanol
Comidas escolares gratis (todo estudiante de TK-12): dos comidas gratis al día — desayuno y almuerzo — para todo estudiante de TK-12 en escuelas públicas y chárter, sin solicitud y sin requisito de ingresos. No hay que inscribirse — pregunte en la oficina escolar por los horarios del desayuno.
URL
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/cauniversalmeals.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