Two Critical CACFP Bills Re-Introduced in Congress
April 10, 2025
Today, April 10th, two important CACFP bills were re-introduced in Congress. The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act (H.R. 2859/S. 1420) and Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act (H.R. 2818/S. 1447) work together to provide much-needed improvements for the CACFP and address challenges faced by CACFP operators.
CACFP Legislation Introduced in the House and the Senate
Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act
Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH) has once again championed this legislation in the House of Representatives, along with Congresswoman Bonamici (D-OR). In the Senate, Senator Blumenthal (D-CT) has taken the lead on introduction, along with Senator Smith (D-MN).
If passed, this legislation would:
- Provide an additional 10 cent reimbursement for each meal and snack served in the CACFP.
- Eliminate the tiering of family day care homes.
- Allow family day care home providers to claim their own children’s meals for reimbursement.
Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act
Congresswoman Bonamici continues to be the champion for this bi-partisan legislation and is joined by Congressmen Mackenzie (R-PA). Senator Blumenthal also leads this legislation in the Senate, along with Senator Smith.
If passed, this legislation would:
- Allow providers who are open for more than 8 hours a day to be reimbursed for an additional meal (up to 3 meals and 1 snack).
- Align the calculation of reimbursement rates for family child care homes with that of centers by shifting to “food away from home.”
- Allow annual eligibility for for-profit child care centers to streamline program operations.
- Require a review of the CACFP Serious Deficiency process.
- Establish an advisory committee on CACFP paperwork reduction.
Why It Matters
Historically, insufficient reimbursement and burdensome paperwork have been significant barriers to program participation and has also caused many CACFP providers to drop-off the program.
Aligning the calculation of family child care home reimbursement with that of centers will increase reimbursement for homes and decrease the disparities between homes and centers. The reimbursement for the additional meal will also be a great help to providers who are open for the full day, and especially those who operate non-traditional hours. These providers are currently paying for an additional meal out of their pocket, taking a cut to their profits. Reimbursement for that additional meal will mitigate this loss in profit and allow them to use that much-needed money for different aspects of their program.
Shifting to annual eligibility will decrease paperwork and save a lot of time for for-profit centers and sponsoring organizations. This is a great step towards lessening the administrative burden of the program, but the establishment of an advisory committee on paperwork reduction would help to identify more areas where the program can be streamlined.
These provisions will improve the CACFP, resulting in higher program participation and expanding access to nutritious meals.
NCA and Partners Endorse Critical CACFP Legislation
"The National CACFP Association is grateful to Congressman Landsman, Congresswoman Bonamici, Senator Blumenthal, and their co-sponsors for championing the Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act and Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act in Congress. These bills work together to provide comprehensive support for the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. The legislation includes critical provisions to improve CACFP’s ability to combat hunger among our nation's youngest and most vulnerable populations. We thank our champions in Congress for pushing forward legislation that will support the success of young children, working families, small businesses, and the child care infrastructure.” - Lisa Mack, President and CEO of the National CACFP Association
Endorsing Organizations
- Advocates for Better Children’s Diets
- All Our Kin
- American Academy of Pediatrics*
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
- American Heart Association
- CACFP National Professional Association
- CACFP Roundtable
- Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
- Child Care Aware of America
- Child Welfare League of America
- Coalition on Human Needs
- Community Change Action
- Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces
- Early Care and Education Consortium
- Early Learning Ventures
- Family Values @ Work
- First Children’s Finance
- First Five Years Fund
- First Focus Campaign for Children
- Food Research and Action Center
- Home Grown
- KinderCare Learning Companies
- Main Street Alliance
- National Adult Day Services Association
- National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
- National Association for Family Child Care
- National Association for the Education of Young Children
- National CACFP Association
- National CACFP Forum
- National Education Association
- National Farm to School Network
- National Head Start Association*
- National Indian Child Care Association
- National Women’s Law Center
- ParentChild+
- Partnership for a Healthier America
- Save the Children
- Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
- YMCA of the USA*
*Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act Only
Access the full legislation and list of co-sponsors: Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act and Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act.