California Schools Face New Food Rules in 2029

California’s AB 1264, the Real Food, Healthy Kids Act, begins taking effect in July 2029. Public schools must gradually remove certain ultra-processed products, completing the change by July 1, 2035. The law targets specified additives and foods with excessive sugar, fat or salt. Current menu examples include flavored yogurt, breakfast cereals, frozen pizza and items prepared simply by heating and serving.

Researchers interviewed food-service directors in 20 San Joaquin Valley school districts, where many students from low-income families rely on school meals. Directors highlighted tight budgets, staffing shortages, purchasing difficulties and kitchens without equipment for cooking from scratch. Less-processed ingredients can cost more, take longer to prepare and require trained, full-time workers. Fresno Unified School District found that upgrading 50 elementary-school kitchens with required sinks, drains and hoods would cost millions of dollars. Its central kitchen offered another place to prepare sandwiches, an option smaller districts may not have.

Since 2021, free meals have been available to every student in California’s public K-12 system, regardless of household income. Districts receive about $4.60 in federal and state reimbursement for each lunch. Greater participation has increased food-program revenue, but directors expect the new menu requirements to outgrow current funding. This matters because many California children receive two of their three daily meals at school. Students may resist some changes, although directors said some fresh foods are popular and Fresno saw fewer complaints after elementary pupils received more menu choices.