Resources

Special Meals Accommodation Forms

If your child requires a special diet provided by the school cafeteria for medical reasons, please complete the Special Meal Accommodation Form and have it signed by their Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or State Licensed Health Care Professional.

Completed forms can be sent to Child Nutrition Services by emailing: [email protected]@vistausd.org

Fax: 760-724-5605

Mail: VUSD Child Nutrition Services 4680 North Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92056

Questions? Please email or call us at 760-726-2170 x92404

Special Meal Accommodation Form English
Special Meals Accommodation Form – Español
Milk Substitution Form – English
Milk Substitution Form – Español

P-EBT Information / Sun Bucks

P-EBT Information & Resources

Application Links:

2025–2026 UBA Form (open now through August 31, 2026):
https://forms.vistausd.org/Forms/25-26_UBA

Reference Links from CDE:

2025–2026 Guidelines

North County Food Resources

*For additional resources, please call 211

Brother Benno’s
3260 Production (between 76 & Mission, Airport, then 1 block on production) Oceanside, CA.
760-439-1244
Breakfast & Sack Lunch, Mon- Fri, 6:30am -8:00am, Saturday 10 – 11:30am

Bread of Life Rescue Mission
1919 Apple St. Oceanside, CA. 760-722-0800
Dinner served Mon-Fri @ 6:00pm, Sunday @ 6:00pm
Free groceries on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month

Details:
Offers occasional food distribution, including fresh fruits and vegetables, when available.
Program is open to anyone in need on a first come first serve basis.…

Interfaith Coastal Service Center
2195 Oceanside Blvd. Oceanside, CA. 760-721-2117
Monday – Friday 9:00- 11:30, Monday – Thursday 1:00-3:30, closes first Friday of every month.
Food Pantry provides food for three days. Individuals are encouraged to be there at opening, served on a first come first serve basis.

Mission San Luis Rey (office of social concerns- behind parish)
4070 Mission, Oceanside, CA. 760-757-3250 ext. 108
Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 – 4:00 pm by appointment only
Available for Oceanside residence only, must make appointment first, canned goods distributed.

Project Food Box
Oceanside swap meet parking lot (Foussat entrance) 1-951-695-7206
Box of food, $25, Wednesday, 4pm-6pm

Salvation Army
3935 Lake Blvd., Oceanside, CA. 760-631-4712
Monday, 12-7 pm, Tues & Friday, 9-3pm, Wednesday, 9-12pm

St. Francis Church
525 W. Vista Way, Vista, CA. 760-945-8000
Soup served Monday @ 5:30pm

St. Mary Star of the Sea
609 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA. 760-722-1688
Soup & Crackers, Mon-Fri 10:30am – 12pm

All Saints
651 Eucalyptus Ave. Vista, CA. 760-726-4280
Hot meal & lunch bag served on Thursdays @ 5:00

Catholic Charities
328 Vista Village Drive, Vista, CA. 760-631-4792
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 11:45 am, 1:15 pm – 3:30 pm

Community Resource Center
650 Second St. Encinitas, CA. 760–753-1156
Bread Room Monday – Friday 11:00-2:00, come early and receive more than bread.
Emergency food assistance available, Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, in the Social Services office.
Case management for self-sufficiency also available

Emergency Food for Individuals, North County’s Food Bank
1175 Melrose Way, Vista, CA, 92081 (760) 761-1140
The Emergency Food for Individuals program is a direct food assistance available to needy individuals. Program is available every first, third, and fifth Monday of the month.

Grace Presbyterian Church
1450 E. Vista Way, Vista, CA. 760-724-0077
Monday & Friday 8:30 am – 11:30 am, Tuesday – Thursday 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Seventh Day Adventist Church
720 Alta Vista, CA. 760-726-5353

Vista Samoan Church
1175 Melrose Way, Vista, CA 92081
(760) 758-8720.
Food Distribution at Vista Samoan Church 1st, 3rd, and 5th Monday of every month @ 2:00pm until all food is distributed.

Vista Wesleyan Church
1010 Crest View Rd. Vista, CA. 760-940-9494
Food Pantry Tuesday – Friday 9 am – 12 pm

St. Johns
1001 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas 760-436-0664
Food Pantry Monday @ 9:00 am

The Treasure Box
Provides a 22-27 lb. box of high-quality, frozen food which includes 10-12 lbs. of protein (i.e., beef, chicken and pork), vegetables, fruit, a side dish, and even a dessert for only $30! contains enough food to feed a family of four lunch and dinner for about a week. Please view the website and online ordering features at www.thetreasurebox.org.

North County Service Center/Meals on Wheels
930 Boardwalk Street, Unit C, San Marcos, CA 92078
Phone: (760) 736-9900
Manager, Charlotte Fan

The Movement Church
1609 Capalina Road, San Marcos, CA 92069
Community Food Distribution at The Movement Church every 1st, and 3rd, Tuesday of the Month from 1:00 pm to 2:30pm

Escondido Community Food Distribution – Buckheart Ranch
16881 Old Survey Rd, Escondido, CA (760) 533-9719
Community Food Distribution is every Friday from 5:00 pm until all food is distributed.

Mission Vida Nueva at Pioneer Elementary School
980 N. Ash St. Escondido, CA 92027
Community Food Distribution at Pioneer Elementary School: Individuals pick-up tickets between 7-8am to reserve their space in line for food distribution on Saturday’s starting at 2pm.

Pauma Community Food Distribution – Tribes 4 Christ
132 La Jolla Rd, Pauma Valley, CA 92061
(760) 533-9719
Community Food Distribution is every 4th Monday of the month from 2:00 pm until all food is distributed.

*For additional resources, please call 211

Games For Kids & Families

Here are a few downloadable PDF games that you can play as a family to get your kids thinking about their food choices.

GroceryStoreBingo
Kids_Food_Critic
MyPlate_Menu_Activity
MyPlate_ColoringSheet

Harvest Of The Month Resources

Harvest of the Month Information and Classroom Newsletter

Harvest Of The Month Classroom Flyer 2025-26
Harvest Of The Month Official Website
Harvest of the Month Information
Tasting Trio Teacher Cookbook From Harvest Of The Month

Kiwi Berries Info: September 2025
Dragon Fruit Info: October 2025

Harvest of the Month Archives (2023-24)

Nutrition Education Events

Our nutrition team is proud to offer a wide range of hands-on, educational events that help students build lifelong healthy habits. These activities include:

• Taste testing

• Food forensics

• Harvest of the Month

• Nutrition education lessons

• Nutrition Jeopardy

• Charlie Cart cooking demonstrations

• Blender Bike smoothie stations.

Each event is designed to make nutrition fun, memorable, and meaningful — encouraging students to try new foods, learn where their food comes from, and understand how healthy choices support their well-being and academic success.

Due to scheduling, we are able to offer 1–2 events per week, and spots are limited. However, Harvest of the Month is available year-round, giving schools a consistent opportunity to highlight seasonal fruits and vegetables. We’re excited to continue supporting students with interactive nutrition experiences throughout the year!

Please see our Nutrition Education Event Booklet for event offerings and click on the link to book your event!

Nutrition Education Events Booklet

Click here to book an event

Smart Snacks Approved Snack Lists

Approved Snacks Lists

Competitive Food Sales Form – Due to state regulations and Board Policies, if your school site wants to sell food to students before, during, or after the school day, your site will need to submit a “CNS Request Form to Sell Non-Reimbursable Foods to Students.” Requests must be submitted each year, prior to the food sale or fundraiser, regardless if your site has sold the item(s) previously. The Request form is now available in Laserfiche. All School Site Office Managers have the Form in their Classlink portal.

Farm 2 School Information

Catering Menu

We’d love to provide our fresh, healthy and delicious food for your event. Please see our robust catering menu to find the options that best fit your event! Catering must be scheduled two weeks in advance. Please contact Alejandra Sanchez at 760-726-2170 ext. 92407 or [email protected]

WaveCrest Cafe Catering Menu

Newsletter Archives

For more current newsletters, click the “NEWS” link on the website’s menu bar.

Helpful Links For Parents, Educators and Students

Here are links to a variety of resources that may be of help to you.

Facility Use
If the use of the CNS kitchen is needed for a school event, please complete the Facility Use Form. This form must be turned in at least two weeks prior to the date you wish to use the kitchen. The request will be reviewed by Karolyn Wasung, Director of CNS.

Facility Use Form

For Parents & Educators

Let’s Move!
Choose My Plate
Healthy School Program
CA Department of Education: Healthy Eating & Nutrition Education
Healthy Schools Campaign
California Tastes Amazing Family Cookbook
Nutrition Made Easy! K-3rd Grade Videos
4th Grade “Let’s Eat Healthy” Lesson Plans
5th Grade “Let’s Eat Healthy” Lesson Plans

Student-Focused Sites

Kids Health
Teen Health

Wellness Policy

VUSD Student Wellness Policy: March 2022
2023-2025 Triennial Assessment Report

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) FAQs

CEP FAQs

What does CEP stand for?

CEP stands for Community Eligibility Provision.

What is CEP?

Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP, is a USDA program that allows low-income schools to offer meals to all students at no cost and without requiring applications from families. CEP schools are reimbursed for meals based on the percentage of students eligible for free meals due to participating in certain programs, such as SNAP and TANF.

Who pays for Community Eligibility Provision?

The USDA reimburses CEP schools for all school meals during the 4-year period. VUSD’s current 4- year period will run from school year 2025/2026 to school year 2028/2029.

How do schools qualify for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)?

Schools qualify for CEP based on the school’s identified student percentage (ISP). An ISP is determined by calculating the number of students who are directly certified to receive free meals on the basis of their receipt of CalFresh, California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or Medi-Cal benefits, and the extension of those benefits to students within the same household. The calculation also includes students who are certified as homeless, migrant, runaway, foster, and income-eligible for Head Start. CEP schools can provide the program for up to 4-years before needing to re-apply.

What meals are offered at no cost at CEP schools?

Both breakfast and lunch are offered at no charge to every student at CEP-qualified schools. We encourage every student to take advantage of these meals and ensure that they are fueled for learning and growing every day.

Do students at CEP schools still need to enter numbers or use the finger reader since everyone eats for free?

Yes. This allows for accountability in case a student has any allergies. It also helps us to accurately track the number of meals served.

Will middle schools still sell snacks?

Middle schools can still sell snacks. The schools will not, however, allow students to charge snacks. They will either need to have money in their account or pay for the snacks at the time of service.

Do teachers at CEP schools get to eat for free?

No, the CEP program only covers students. Teachers and other staff will need to pay the adult meal price.

Refund Request Form

Should you need to request a refund of meal account funds, please download and fill out the form and mail or hand deliver to our office. The address is included on the form.

Request For Refund, Transfer, or Donation

Civil Rights Complaint Procedure Handbook

Civil Rights Complaint Procedure Handbook
USDA Notice to Beneficiaries

Earned Income Tax Credit

Earned Income Tax Credit Notice – English
Earned Income Tax Credit Notice – Español