Cal. Code Regs. tit. 5, § 15558
(a) A nutritionally adequate lunch shall contain components that meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch Program requirements for a five-day school week that is contained in 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 210.10(c) as amended by 89 FR 31962, April 25, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference, as set forth in the following tables:
Amount of Food a per Week (Minimum per Day)
Food
Grades K-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Fruits (cups) b
2 1/2 (1/2)
2 1/2 (1/2)
5(1)
Vegetables (cups) b
3 3/4 (3/4)
3 3/4 (3/4)
5(1)
Dark Green c
1/2
1/2
1/2
Red/Orange c
3/4
3/4
1 1/4
Beans, Peas, and Lentils c
1/2
1/2
1/2
Starchy c
1/2
1/2
1/2
Other Vegetables c, d
1/2
1/2
3/4
Additional Vegetables to Reach Total
1
1
1 1/2
Grains (ounce equivalents) e
8-9 (1)
8-10 (1)
10-12 (2)
Meats/Meat Alternatives (ounce equivalents) f
8-10 (1)
9-10 (1)
10-12 (2)
Fluid milk (cups) g
5 (1)
5 (1)
5 (1)
a Food items included in each group and subgroup and amount equivalents.
b Minimum creditable serving is 1/8 cup. One-quarter cup of dried fruit counts as one-half cup of fruit; one cup of leafy greens counts as one-half cup of vegetables. No more than half of the fruit or vegetable offerings may be in the form of juice. All juice must be 100 percent full-strength.
c Larger amounts of these vegetables may be served.
d This subgroup consists of “Other Vegetables” as defined in 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 210.10(c)(2)(ii)(E), which is hereby incorporated by reference. For the purposes of the National School Lunch Program, the “Other Vegetables” requirement may be met with any additional amounts from the dark green, red/orange, and beans, peas, and lentils vegetable subgroups as defined in 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 210.10(c)(2)(ii), which is hereby incorporated by reference.
e Minimum creditable serving is 0.25 ounce equivalent. At least 80 percent of grains offered weekly (by ounce equivalents) must be whole grain-rich as defined in 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 210.10(c)(2)(iii)(A) which is hereby incorporated by reference and the remaining grain items offered must be enriched. School food authorities and schools that are tribally operated, operated by the Bureau of Indian Education, and that serve primarily American Indian or Alaska Native children, may serve any vegetable, including vegetables such as breadfruit, prairie turnips, plantains, sweet potatoes, and yams, to meet the grains component as per 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 210.10(c)(3)(ii), which is hereby incorporated by reference. By July 1, 2025, breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce as defined in 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 210.10(c)(2)(iii)(B) which is hereby incorporated by reference.
f Minimum creditable serving is 0.25 ounce equivalent. By July 1, 2025, yogurt must contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (2 grams of added sugars per ounce) as defined in 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 210.10(c)(2)(iv)(C).
g Minimum creditable serving is 8 fluid ounces. All fluid milk must be fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1 percent fat or less) and must meet the requirements in 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 210.10(d), which is hereby incorporated by reference, including by July 1, 2025, flavored milk must contain no more than 10 grams of added sugars per 8 fluid ounces.
Dietary Specifications: Daily Amount Based on the Average for a 5-Day Week [FNh] that is contained in 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 210.10(c) as amended by 89 FR 31962, April 25, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Dietary Specifications
Grades K-5
Grades 6-8
Grades 9-12
Min-Max Calories (kcal)
550-650
600-700
750-850
Saturated Fat (percent of total calories)
Less than 10 percent
Less than 10 percent
Less than 10 percent
Added Sugars (percent of total calories)
Less than 10 percent
Less than 10 percent
Less than 10 percent
Sodium Limit: In place through June 30, 2027 [milligrams ()]
Less than or equal to 1,110 mg
Less than or equal to 1,225 mg
Less than or equal to 1,280 mg
Sodium Limit: Must be implemented by July 1, 2027
Less than or equal to 935 mg
Less than or equal to 1,035 mg
Less than or equal to 1,080 mg
[FNh]
By July 1, 2027, schools must meet the dietary specification for added sugars. Schools must meet the sodium limits by the dates specified in this chart. Discretionary sources of calories may be added to the meal pattern if within the dietary specifications.
Note: Authority cited: Sections 33031, 49531 and 49531.1, Education Code. Reference: 7 C.F.R. Section 210.10.
1. Amendment of section heading and section and new Note filed 9-26-2019; operative 1-1-2020 (Register 2019, No. 39).
2. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 12-3-2021 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2021, No. 49).
3. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 12-14-2022 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2022, No. 50).
4. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 7-29-2025 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2025, No. 31).