Article 7. School Breakfast And Lunch Program of California Education Code >> Division 4. >> Title 2. >> Part 27. >> Chapter 9. >> Article 7.

The Legislature finds and declares that hunger and malnutrition among children from low-income families constitute one of the most critical child health problems in the state; that federal programs to meet child nutrition needs are providing nourishing meals to thousands of the state's poverty area children who previously could not participate in school lunch programs; that federal funds allocated for child nutrition to California are inadequate to meet critical needs; that the state and local communities bear a responsibility towards meeting these needs; and that the physical well-being of all of the children of the state is a matter of public concern and expenditures to secure such well-being serves a public purpose.

No amount received by a school district or other public or private nonprofit school pursuant to this article or the National School Lunch Program shall be used to reduce the level of district or school expenditures for any existing program of free or reduced-price meals, unless free or reduced-price lunches are provided for each eligible needy child.

Each school district or other public or private nonprofit school or agency receiving reimbursement pursuant to the provisions of this article shall meet standards adopted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the following:
  (a) The definition of a "meal" and at what price a given meal may be considered to be a "reduced-price meal."
  (b) Standards for the eligibility of children to receive free or reduced-price meals.
  (c) Standards for the protection of the identity of children for whom reimbursement is made pursuant to this article.

No allocation or reimbursement of funds shall be made pursuant to this article to any public or private nonprofit school or agency in behalf of any child who resides on the premises of such school or agency.

Notwithstanding Section 49493, an allocation shall be made pursuant to this article for a ward or dependent of the court who resides in a probation camp, ranch, juvenile hall, or county operated children's emergency shelter. The department shall make an allocation for these purposes to a county probation department and welfare agency from funds appropriated to the department for the 1999-2000 fiscal year by crediting the county probation department or welfare agency commencing on July 1, 1999.