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4 Bills Reintroduced in Congress to Strengthen CACFP

  • Writer: Samantha Marshall
    Samantha Marshall
  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

Updated: 10 hours ago

You might remember last year, there were four bills (with just two names in the House and Senate) we were excited to advocate for support with our Members of Congress in order to strengthen the Child and Adult Care Food Program: The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act and The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act. We have good news, the bills are back!


Today, four bills have been reintroduced in Congress, in the House of Representatives and the Senate, to further improve the CACFP. We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representatives Bonamici (D-OR), Mackenzie (R-PA), and Landsman (D-OH) and for the support of more than 100 organizations. 


See the Members of Congress' press releases:


Summary of the Bills


The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act (H.R. 2818 and S. 1447) 

This bill is being introduced in the House by Representative Bonamici (D-OR) and Representative Makenzie (R-PA), and in the Senate by Senator Blumenthal (D-PCT). The bill calls for: 

  • Adding another meal service to be reimbursed in CACFP when this 3rd meal is offered 8 hours after the first meal service of the program day 

  • Changing the payment policy so that family child care programs in CACFP are reimbursed based on "food away from home," measure of the Consumer Price Index, the same way child care centers' rates are calculated

  • Reducing paperwork by simplifying eligibility reporting for for-profit child care centers 

  • Calling on the Secretary of USDA to review the CACFP Serious Deficiency process

  • Establishing an Advisory Committee on CACFP paperwork. 


Take Action to support this bill, it will take two minutes to tell your Member of Congress to support this bill.


The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act (H.R. 2859 and S. 1420) 

This bill is being introduced in the House by Representative Landsman (D-OH) and in the Senate by Senator Blumenthal (D-CT). The bill calls for: 

  • Providing a 10 cent increase for all eligible meals and snacks in all CACFP-participating Head Start programs, child care centers, family child care programs, at-risk after school programs, and adult care programs

  • Eliminating the harmful two-tier system for family child care in CACFP

  • Allowing family child care providers in CACFP to be reimbursed for meals provided to their own children when also providing them for CACFP-eligible children


Take Action to support this bill, it will take two minutes to tell your Member of Congress to support this bill.


You can also take a look at this chart for a visual of what each bill does. 


CACFP Roundtable is excited to share this news with you and take action with you during this session of Congress to educate members of Congress about this vital program and how these bills can help you serve even more nutritious quality meals to children and adults in your communities. We’ll share ways you can advocate in the coming weeks - at this moment you can thank the Members of Congress on social media! Use these or modify or create your own!


Good bills reintroduced this week: Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act and Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act! Thank you @RepBonamici @RepMackenzie @RepGregLandsman @SenBlumenthal @SenTinaSmith We’re glad to join with 100+ organizations asking Congress to support meals and snacks in child care and Head Start! https://bit.ly/4ie30nB


🎉Introduced in the Senate: The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act and the Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act! Thank you @SenBlumenthal @SenTinaSmith for your leadership! https://bit.ly/4ie30nB


📣Bipartisan bill introduced in the House! The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act is good for kids and communities: add’l meal for kids in care while their families work. Thank you @RepBonamici @RepMackenzie 


We’ve been asking for this for a long time: Eliminate the harmful 2-tier #CACFP system for #familychildcare. The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act would do that! Thank you @SenBlumenthal  @SenTinaSmith @RepGregLandsman https://bit.ly/4jqwJui


Did you know? #CACFP reaches 4.2 million children each DAY in #childcare, #HeadStart and at-risk #afterschool programs!  Join us to support the food program! (link to blog/summary/etc)


Questions? We always love to hear from you! Email me: samantha@cacfproundtable.org

 

Don't miss your chance to take a deep dive into infant and toddler feeding in the CACFP! Join us at our virtual summit in May! Learn more and register here.

 

Our call for presentation proposals closes on April 30th! Don't miss your chance to make a difference in the meals served and programs operated in our CACFP Community! Submit your proposal to share your resources or expertise here.


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