Statement attributed to Jim Weill, president, Food Research & Action Center.
WASHINGTON, September 28, 2017 — Starting October 1, all child and adult care centers and child care homes receiving federal funds from the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) must implement new nutrition standards that include a greater variety of vegetables and fruit, more whole grains, and less added sugar and saturated fat. The new standards also encourage breastfeeding and better align with WIC and other child nutrition programs, such as school breakfast and lunch.
In 2016, CACFP provided meals to 4.3 million children and 130,000 elderly or disabled adults each day. While these numbers mean the new standards have impressive reach, the positive impact of the new standards goes beyond participating CACFP centers; at least 30 states require day cares to implement CACFP’s nutrition standards as part of their licensing requirements.
The new nutrition standards will make a good program even better by strengthening the role of CACFP in helping to prevent obesity in young children, reducing food insecurity, and promoting improved health among both our youngest and oldest populations.
FRAC will continue to work with national, state, and local policymakers, providers, and other partners to provide resources and best practices to support healthy, balanced meals and snacks in CACFP.
For additional information, visit frac.org and contact Geri Henchy at ghenchy@frac.org or 202-986-2200 ext. 3025.
