School is back in session in California!
In July, our No Kid Hungry team attended the School Nutrition Association’s Annual National Conference (ANC) in North Carolina, where we connected directly with school nutrition directors and staff from across the country. Over several days of networking and learning sessions, we heard firsthand about the real challenges and creative wins that school teams are navigating with breakfast and summer meal programs. Those conversations left us inspired, and we want to pass along what we learned, along with other supports schools and community organizations can put to use this year.
Back-to-school season is about more than preparing classrooms – it’s also an opportunity to strengthen the systems that help students stay healthy, nourished, and ready to learn. Schools have long been at the center of child nutrition through school meals, but they can also serve as trusted connections to other nutrition programs. As you plan for this year’s school year, consider these strategies to expand your nutrition programming while better connecting families with the resources they need.
Make Breakfast Part of the School Day
School breakfast is one of the most effective ways to ensure students start the day ready to learn, but traditional before-school service can create barriers for many children. Breakfast After the Bell models — including Breakfast in the Classroom, Grab-and-Go Breakfast, and Second Chance Breakfast — make breakfast part of the school day, increasing access and participation.
Research consistently shows these models boost breakfast participation, even in schools where meals are already free through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Studies also suggest these models can improve attendance, academic performance, and focus, with the greatest benefits seen among students facing the highest barriers to success. By making breakfast a routine part of the school day, schools can help ensure every student has the nutrition they need to thrive from the first bell onward.
High school breakfast was a consistent topic in our in-person conversations at ANC, since secondary participation tends to lag behind that of elementary and middle schools. If you’re looking for fresh ideas, our newest resource, Creative Ideas to Increase High School Breakfast Participation, features practical, district-tested strategies shared directly by the school nutrition leaders we met at the conference.
Check out our CA Breakfast in the Classroom (CA BIC) Learning Tool which helps California schools successfully implement and optimize their school breakfast programs. Based on your role, you’ll get step-by-step guidance on logistics, stakeholder engagement, and best practices to ensure smooth operations and maximum student participation.
School Meals Design Lab
For directors who want to go deeper, our upcoming School Meals Design Lab opportunity will bring together school nutrition directors and senior nutrition staff to explore new ways to improve the high school meal experience using human-centered design. Participants leave ready to launch a new solution to draw more high school students into the school meal program. Register by August 28, 2026 to be considered for the September 25, 2026, start date!
Bring CalFresh Into Schools
Schools are uniquely positioned to connect eligible families with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also called CalFresh here in California, one of the nation’s most effective anti-hunger programs. Schools are a great place to reach eligible families and children who are not yet participating in CalFresh. They’re generally a trusted space for families to learn new information and connect with resources, which makes them a natural partner for outreach. There are many ways schools can raise awareness about CalFresh that build on existing communication channels, such as texting caregivers or adding CalFresh information to your website.
Our SNAP Outreach in Schools Toolkit features examples of messaging and materials from partners conducting SNAP outreach and enrollment through schools. The toolkit includes customizable scripts, outreach materials, and social media posts in English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Tagalog, and Vietnamese to help you spread the word in your school community. Additionally, visit our CalFresh in Schools page for more resources and toolkits in San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties.
Schools don’t have to do this work alone. Many organizations specialize in CalFresh outreach and application assistance and make great partners, often your local food bank, community action agency, or a non-profit service provider. Your county office can connect you with organizations doing this work in your area.
Strengthen SUN Bucks Outreach
Back-to-school season is also the perfect time to reflect on how your school or organization communicates with families year-round. Summer EBT (also known as SUN Bucks) provides eligible families with grocery benefits over the summer months, helping bridge the gap for children who rely on school breakfast and lunch during the school year but lose that daily access once the school year ends. School nutrition professionals may be able to support SUN Bucks enrollment by sharing relevant resources and information with families provided by the California Department of Social Services. Additionally, California families who complete the Free and Reduced-Price (FRP) school meal application or a Universal Benefits Application (UBA) by the August 31, 2026 application deadline, may qualify for SUN Bucks.
Strong school partnerships, clear messaging, and coordinated communication can help more eligible children receive the grocery benefits they’re entitled to when school is out. Our SUN Bucks outreach resources highlight practical strategies schools can use to share timely, accurate information with families before benefits are issued each summer. Learn more at summerebt.org and check with your state agency for the latest program timeline, as enrollment windows and messaging materials are typically updated each year and can change or expire.
Expanding access to nutritious food takes more than one program – it takes strong partnerships and a coordinated approach. By leveraging schools as trusted community hubs, connecting families to nutrition benefits, and working across education, healthcare, and community organizations, we can help ensure every student has the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive throughout the school year.
Last update: August 7, 2026
