CACFP MATTERS

The federally funded Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides over 1 million meals a year for children in Head Start programs, family day care, child care centers, homeless shelters, and afterschool programs. Children who received CACFP meals were 28% less likely to be in fair or poor health, 26% less likely to be hospitalized, and significantly more likely to have a healthy weight and height for their age than children whose meals were supplied from home. A recent study among found that CACFP participation increased consumption of milk and vegetables, and reduced the prevalence of overweight and underweight among low-income preschoolers. CACFP is up for reauthorization this year as part of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act. Several changes are being proposed to improver the program including Increasing reimbursement rates, allowing three meals a day, and reducing area eligibility tests in order to streamline access to the program.

Source: Children’s Health Watch, 9/18/15, CACFP