Kalmus Café
Catering and nutrition services
The Kalmus Café provides catering and nutrition services for OCDE staff and student programs. They also provide cafeteria services for staff and guests of the OCDE administration offices located on Kalmus Drive.
Every OCDE student qualifies for school meals at no cost in 2024-25
The Orange County Department of Education is pleased to announce that it will participate in California’s Universal Meals Program during the 2024-25 school year.
What does this mean for you and your children?
- All students enrolled in OCDE schools will receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at no cost every school day.
- No applications or payments are needed — this benefit is automatic for all OCDE students.
California’s Universal Meals Program
California became the first state to implement a statewide universal meals program for public school children in the 2022-23 school year. The program builds on the foundations of the federal National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs.
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
OCDE schools are participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, a federal program that allows schools in low-income areas to offer free meals to all students. CEP is part of the National School Lunch Program and ensures schools can provide nutritious meals without requiring families to submit meal applications.
The Orange County Department of Education is dedicated to providing every student with access to nutritious meals in support of their health and academic success. If you have any questions about the program or need assistance, please contact Food Services Manager John Basurto at ibasurto@ocde.us.