Bonamici Introduces Resolution to Reduce Hunger, Honor Caregivers

WASHINGTON, DC [03/14/23] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced a resolution that will honor caregivers and their efforts to reduce hunger by recognizing National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week.

CACFP provides healthy meals and snacks to millions of children and adults in child care, afterschool and summer meal programs, emergency shelters, and adult care homes each year. According to USDA, the program serves more than 4.2 million children and 138,000 adults daily.

“I am grateful for the many caregivers who are working to eliminate hunger by providing healthy meals and snacks through the CACFP program,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “We must continue to strengthen this critical program, especially at a time when many families and individuals are struggling to put food on the table.”

The resolution was endorsed by National CACFP Sponsors, American Heart Association, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Women's Law Center, The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), American Academy of Pediatrics, Save the Children, National Farm to School Network, First Five Years Fund, KinderCare Learning Companies, Early Care & Education Consortium, and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

"We are grateful to Congresswoman Bonamici for leading the House Resolution recognizing the third week of March as National CACFP Week," said Lisa Mack, President & CEO of the National CACFP Sponsors Association. "Early intervention matters in ensuring the nutrition security of children and adults. It is imperative that we help raise awareness of the tremendous benefits of the CACFP. We appreciate the support for the thousands of CACFP operators who work tirelessly to provide nutritious meals and snacks to 4.7 million children and adults nationwide. During National CACFP Week, we are honored to celebrate them. They are true heroes."

“With millions of families experiencing large cuts in SNAP and facing double-digit food inflation, now is a critical time," said registered dietitian nutritionist Ellen R. Shanley, MBA, RDN, CDN, FAND, the 2022-2023 president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "The Academy thanks Rep. Bonamici for her leadership in advocating for increasing access to healthful, nutritious foods for families with the least access and fewest resources. During National Child and Adult Care Food Program Week and throughout the year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supports efforts to strengthen the CACFP."

"We are proud to endorse this measure again, recognizing the National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week,” said Whitney T. Pesek,Director of Federal Child Care Policy for the National Women’s Law Center. “Maintaining children’s nutritional health and well-being is one of our most crucial obligations. To meet this obligation, we must support child care providers working to ensure that the children in their care receive the nutritious meals and snacks necessary for their growth and development. We thank Representative Bonamici for her leadership on this issue and her efforts to strengthen CACFP through the Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act.”

Bonamici was joined by original cosponsors Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Ed Case (D-HI), and Dina Titus (D-NV).

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

Bonamici is a leader on improving affordable child care access and addressing food insecurity. Her bipartisan Early Childhood Nutrition and Improvement Act would strengthen and expand CACFP by allowing an additional meal or snack to be served to children in care for a full day and making it easier for early learning programs and child care providers to participate in the program. She is the Ranking Member of the Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

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