Child Nutrition Should be Prioritized in 119th Congress
January 15, 2025
As the 119th congress begins, there is an opportunity to push new priorities forward – like child nutrition! There are 12 new U.S. Senators and 63 new U.S. Representatives who are looking to understand the needs of their constituents and set a policy agenda to meet those needs. In addition, representatives and senators that have been re-elected are planning their agenda for the new congress as well. Now is the perfect time to let your congressmen and women know that you want them to prioritize child nutrition in the new congress.
Let your legislator know who you are and why the CACFP matters to you! Here's why this Congress must prioritize child nutrition.
Vital Child Nutrition Program
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal nutrition program through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) designed to provide “nutritious foods that contribute to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children, and the health and wellness of older adults and chronically impaired disabled persons.” Eating habits are developed early in life and the CACFP contributes to healthy lifelong eating habits not only through introducing children to nutritious foods at a young age, but also through nutrition education and physical activity. The CACFP also safeguards the health and wellness of over 4.5 million children and adults across the United States and is a vital intervention for our nation’s youngest and most vulnerable populations.
CACFP Serves Communities in Need and Reduces Food Insecurity
The CACFP ensures food and nutrition security for children from birth up to the age of 18, as well as older adults and adults with disabilities. Child care programs participating in the CACFP, compared to non-participating programs, are more likely to be located in low-income, diverse neighborhoods and more frequently serve children experiencing food insecurity. Research has found that the CACFP does lower the odds of food insecurity, poor health, and admittance to hospitals for young children. These outcomes are a result of the service of more nutritious foods and beverages by CACFP-participating programs.
Action Needed to Meet Current Needs of Americans
Despite its benefits, the CACFP is underutilized because of program barriers that have not been addressed through congressional action. To ensure the sustainability of this critical child nutrition program, congress must take action to improve, strengthen, and expand child nutrition programs to meet the needs of communities across the nation.
For any questions, contact policy@cacfp.org.