Relief is almost here! CACFP Roundtable celebrates Congress on their bipartisan passage of the Keep Kids Fed Act, HR 8150, a bill that will ensure children continue to be fed in schools and child care by providing important funding and flexibility for community-based organizations to provide meals to the children they care for. Now all that's left is for the President to sign the bill, which is expected to happen over the weekend.
Specifically for the CACFP, the Keep Kids Fed Act includes, effective June 30, 2022 – July 1, 2023:
A one-year extension of the area eligibility waiver for family child care providers (in simple terms, another year of all family child care receiving Tier 1 level reimbursement for meals served through CACFP)
A one-year temporary additional reimbursement of 10 cents for each meal and snack served under the CACFP
An extension of USDA’s authority to issue Summer Nutrition waivers through September 30, 2022; meal pattern waivers through June 30, 2022, and non-cost nationwide waivers through school year 2022-2023
This is an important first step to provide child care providers and the CACFP community additional resources to help them overcome supply chain disruptions; soaring prices for food, transportation, and supplies; and rising labor costs. Permanent improvements streamlining access to healthy meals for all children must also be made through upcoming budget bills and Child Nutrition Reauthorization.
Thank you Congress for hearing the needs of the CACFP Community and taking swift action to make sure children continue to be fed and for your support of the child care workforce.
Thank YOU CACFP Community for all that you do for children and families and for your advocacy that helped get this bill to the President's desk.
Stay tuned for more breaking updates and important implementation considerations.
>> Learn more about the enduring impact the pandemic had on children and child care providers experiencing hunger.
>> Learn more about why this action by Congress comes at exactly the right time for children, families, and child care.
Questions? elyse@ccfproundtable.org or samantha@ccfproundtable.org
The CACFP Roundtable is committed to fostering a community of leaders who work together to build equitable access to the Child and Adult Care Food Program and nutritious meals in care settings. Your support goes toward programs and advocacy that help us get closer to ensuring everyone has the right to nutritious meals and making the CACFP an even better Food Program for all.