118th CONGRESS 2d Session |
Expressing support for the designation of the third week of March 2024 as “National CACFP Week”.
March 13, 2024
Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Molinaro, Mr. McGovern, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Norton, Ms. Tokuda, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Ms. Lee of California, and Ms. Stevens) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce
Expressing support for the designation of the third week of March 2024 as “National CACFP Week”.
Whereas the Department of Agriculture reaffirms the vital role positive nutrition habits play in the healthy growth of children in the United States;
Whereas the Department of Agriculture also recognizes the importance of nutrition education for the most vulnerable and youngest children, as well as adults, through care centers and homes throughout the United States;
Whereas the child and adult care food program (commonly referred to as “CACFP”) provides meals and snacks to more than 4,200,000 children and 138,000 adults in child care centers, adult day care homes, and after-school programs daily, covering the costs of nearly 2,100,000,000 nutritious meals and snacks each year;
Whereas research has found that participation in CACFP reduces the prevalence of the conditions of underweight, overweight, or obesity in children, which highlights the importance of healthful meal patterns along with accurate nutrition education;
Whereas CACFP increases the quality of child care, especially for children in low-income communities;
Whereas CACFP increases the effectiveness and viability of child care centers and adult day care homes for many providers, especially in rural areas;
Whereas CACFP improves the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical health and development of children, leading to more favorable outcomes such as—
(1) a decreased likelihood of being hospitalized;
(2) an increased likelihood of healthy weight gain; and
(3) an increased likelihood of a more varied diet, including increased consumption of vegetables;
Whereas the innovative approach to CACFP implementation, which pairs child care homes and centers, adult day care centers, and after-school sites with either a nonprofit sponsoring organization or a State agency, highlights a unique public-private partnership that supports working families and small businesses; and
Whereas the third week of March is annually recognized as “National CACFP Week” to raise awareness of the child and adult care food program of the Department of Agriculture: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved,
(1) recognizes the role of the child and adult care food program (commonly referred to as “CACFP”) in improving the health of the country’s most vulnerable children and adults in child care centers, adult day care homes, and after-school care by providing nutritious meals and snacks;
(2) urges support for continuing to strengthen CACFP by offering reimbursement for an additional meal or snack for children in care for a full day, offering annual eligibility to for-profit child care centers, and reducing administrative burdens to participation;
(3) acknowledges that CACFP can, and should, be an important tool in reducing the costs faced by the care economy, including for family, friend, and neighbor care and licensed center-based care; and
(4) supports the designation of “National CACFP Week”.