
Impact
School Meals for All
As a leader of the School Meals for All Coalition, the Center for Ecoliteracy and the California Food for California Kids Network advocated for free school meals for every public school student. In 2021, California became the first state to offer free breakfast and lunch at school.
Transformative Policy
The Center for Ecoliteracy advocates for policies that advance food justice and ensure students have equitable access to free, nutritious school meals. In the 2026–27 California state budget, we helped secure $2.41 billion for school nutrition programs.
National Media Coverage
Members of the California Food for California Kids Network have been featured in national media coverage, including The New York Times, CNN, and Good Morning America.
A Model for the Nation
California Food for California Kids has inspired other states, including Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, and Virginia, to adopt initiatives to increase local procurement and serve more freshly-prepared school meals.