Tag: Universal meals program

As of the 2022-23 school year, California became the first state in the nation to permanently provide free breakfast and lunch to all public school students, making free school lunch in California a reality for every K-12 student. This landmark legislation, known as the Universal Meals Program (UMP), fundamentally changed how students access nutritious meals at school, regardless of family income.

As of the 2022–2023 school year, all K-12 students in California receive one free breakfast and one free lunch every school day, regardless of their family's income. This universal provision fundamentally changes the traditional concept of an income limit for free lunch in California, yet federal guidelines for eligibility still exist for other benefits.

In the 2022–23 school year, California became the first state to implement a statewide Universal Meals Program for all school children. This initiative is a key part of **what is the California meals program**, a broader system of state-supported nutritional aid that also includes the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program for vulnerable adults.