On November 9, U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Herrera Beutler (R-WA) introduced the Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act. This bipartisan legislation calls for strengthening and expanding access to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). NAFCC is pleased to endorse this legislation along with 800 other organizations.
This bill includes some of the priorities we hear from family child care providers:
- an additional meal service (supper or snack);
- improving the cost-of-living adjustment for family child care reimbursement rates;
- reducing unnecessary paperwork.
Read about the Act from the summary provided by the House of Representatives (check out the entire legislation text here). You can also find more information from the Food Research and Action Center.
Time for Action
Let’s get ready for Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization! This reauthorization process gives us all an opportunity to educate Congress on what would make the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) even better. The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee and U.S. House Education and Labor Committee take the lead on this work.
U.S. Senators and Representatives will introduce legislation to help build enthusiasm for particular issues like school breakfast, school lunch and, of course, CACFP.
Earlier this year, Senator Casey introduced to the Senate “The Access to Healthy Food for Young Children Act” which also proposes ways to improve CACFP that would benefit family child care providers and the children in your programs.
We thank Senator Casey, Representatives Bonamici and Beutler and the Senators and Representatives who have added their names in support for their leadership for CACFP.
