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Child Nutrition » Food Service Updates

Food Service Updates

Key SNAP Updates (2026):
  • Expanded Work Requirements: Able-bodied adults aged 18–65 without dependents must work or volunteer 80+ hours monthly. This expands from the previous age cap of 55.
  • Exemption Changes: Veterans, homeless individuals, and young adults (formerly in foster care) are no longer exempt from work requirements.
  • Noncitizen Eligibility: Guidance has been updated to restrict eligibility for certain noncitizens, such as those under asylum and refugee laws.
  • "Junk Food" Restrictions: Starting April 2026, some states, including Texas and Florida, are restricting purchases of items like sweetened beverages, candy, and prepared desserts.
  • Funding & Operations: While funding is secured through September 30, 2026, due to a November 2025 continuing resolution, the new law shifts more administrative and benefit costs to states.
  • Maximum Benefit Amounts (FY2026):
    • 1 Person: $298/month
    • 2 People: $546/month
    • 3 People: $785/month
    • 4 People: $994/month.
Information on CalFRESH can be found here.
Information on SNAP benefits can be found here.
Fluid milk & milk substitute standards can be found here.
Lunch meal pattern requirements can be found here. This includes calorie, sodium, fat & added sugar limits.
Breakfast meal pattern requirements can be found here. This includes calorie, sodium, fat & added sugar limits.
 
We partner with Second Harvest Food Bank Child Nutrition Coalition for advocacy support and the Chef Ann Foundation for support with increasing scratch cooking, grants, and culinary student apprenticeships.
 
For more information:
https://www.shfb.org/
https://www.chefannfoundation.org/
Do you know how school meals work? Consider reviewing the RICHARD B. RUSSELL NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH ACT here!

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: [email protected].

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.