Fresno Unified Steps Up to Support Students as SNAP Benefits Pause

With federal food benefits temporarily halted, the Fresno Unified food program is ensuring its more than 73,000 students continue to receive nutritious meals. The district has launched new resources to help students and families find food support while maintaining access to daily school meals.

District Expands Food Access Resources

As families across the Central Valley brace for the loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, FUSD has introduced a dedicated webpage featuring food distribution calendars and a locator tool. The platform lists community sites offering free meals and pantry support to students and their households.

Amanda Harvey, Director of Nutrition Services for Fresno Unified, emphasized the district’s proactive approach. “Let’s get on top of this. Let’s make sure our families know that we are there for them,” she said.

Roughly 40% of FUSD students depend on food benefits at home. The Fresno Unified food program hopes these new resources will help families manage the temporary lapse in assistance without compromising student nutrition or well-being.

School Meals for All Continues

Since 2022, all Fresno Unified students have received free breakfast and lunch through California’s School Meals for All initiative, established by Governor Gavin Newsom. The statewide program ensures every student in public schools has access to healthy, no-cost meals each school day.

Before this initiative, Fresno Unified operated under the Community Eligibility Provision — a USDA program that allowed all students to eat for free due to the district’s high poverty rates. This long-standing participation positioned the Fresno Unified food program to respond quickly when broader food insecurity challenges emerged.

“What that means is all of our students, due to the high level of need in our district, can eat at no cost,” Harvey explained.

The “Super Snack” Program Reaches Beyond Classrooms

In addition to breakfast and lunch, the Fresno Unified food program provides a third meal option called the Super Snack. Available at 88 school sites, this program serves anyone between the ages of one and 18 — regardless of school enrollment or residence.

Each meal includes a protein, grain, fruit, vegetable, and dairy component, meeting USDA nutritional standards. Students do not need to show identification or proof of residency. “They just need to come and consume the meals on site,” Harvey said.

The supper program is fully funded by the USDA and continues to operate without disruption, with funding secured through November.

Feeding Students at Scale

From its 100,000-square-foot central kitchen, Fresno Unified can prepare and distribute up to 75,000 meals daily — totaling nearly 14 million meals each year. As the third-largest school district in California, behind Los Angeles and San Diego, FUSD plays a vital role in combating student hunger and supporting family well-being.

The district’s nutrition services team describes its work as being “on the front lines of food insecurity.” Staff members aim to ensure that every child has consistent access to healthy food, without stigma or barriers.

“Know that we are here to serve them breakfast and lunch and supper,” Harvey said.

Continued Commitment to Students

Fresno Unified leaders say their mission remains clear: no student should have to learn on an empty stomach. By offering free meals, sharing resources, and maintaining open access programs, the Fresno Unified food program is helping families navigate uncertain times while prioritizing student health and focus in the classroom.

Meals will not be provided on Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day, and during the Thanksgiving break. Otherwise, services continue as scheduled to support students across the district.

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