September 25, 2026

Nutrition Education Funding & ELOP

Rainbow Chefs Team

California school districts have access to multiple funding programs for expanded learning. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) identifies the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (“ELOP” or “ELO-P”) as California’s top funding source for student academic and enrichment activities that occur outside normal school hours. Since 2021, California has appropriated billions of dollars for ELOP programming.

ELOP & Expanded Learning Funds

Established for the 2021-2022 school year and subsequent years, California’s ELOP program sets forth guidelines for how local educational agencies should offer access to expanded learning opportunity programs. California’s Education Code defines expanded learning as “before school, after school, summer, or intersession learning programs that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of pupils through hands-on, engaging learning experiences.”

Data published by the LAO indicates that ELOP funding more than doubled between the 2021-2022 and 2024-2025 school years. California further increased ELOP funding to $4.6 billion for 2025-2026, according to the California State Assembly.

How ELOP Funds are Appropriated in California

The LAO points out that California’s ELOP funding is based on a two-tiered system, which differs from other programs such as ASES (After School Education and Safety). For ELOP, funds are not contingent on a grant-based process. Rather, they are apportioned with a formula that considers TK-6 attendance and percentage of EL/LI (“English learner or low-income”) students in a district.

Districts consisting of at least 75% EL/LI students are considered “Tier 1,” and receive a higher ELOP rate per student. School districts with lower percentages of EL/LI students qualify for “Tier 2” rates, which are lower. Figure 3 of the LAO’s report offers a helpful comparison between Tier 1 and Tier 2 ELOP rates. As of the 2024-2025 school year, ELOP funds were:

$2,750 per EL/LI student in Tier 1 districts
$1,580 per EL/LI student in Tier 2 districts

Tier 1 rates are set by California’s statutes, but Tier 2 rates fluctuate. As pointed out by the LAO, “The Tier 2 ELOP rate is effectively determined by whatever ELOP funding is left over after Tier 1 districts have been funded. This structure provides a great degree of predictability for Tier 1 districts and for state costs, but results in a highly variable Tier 2 rate.”

ELOP’s Connection to Nutrition Education

California’s Education Code calls for expanded learning programs that are “pupil-centered, results driven, include community partners, and complement, but do not replicate, learning activities in the regular schoolday and school year.” Note the reference to “community partners,” which could involve both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

Districts enjoy discretion when selecting ELOP vendors to provide complementary student learning programs, such as sports, arts, and crafts, STEAM/STEM, life skills, and culinary. As a result, ELOP funds may indirectly fund nutrition education, such as when school districts partner with Rainbow Chefs Academy.

Enhance Expanded Learning with Rainbow Chefs Academy

California school districts looking to provide hands-on culinary ELOP programming should consider Rainbow Chefs Academy. Our standards-aligned courses can be used for before school, after school, summer school, and intersession learning.