Webinar: Keep Kids Fed Act Overview and Answers

In cooperation with the following partners:

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
AFSMCE
Afterschool Alliance
Boys and Girls Club
CACFP Roundtable
CLASP (Center for Law and Social Policy)
Feeding America
Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)
Home Grown
National CACFP Association (NCA)
National CACFP Forum
National Head Start Association
National Women’s Law Center
National Recreation and Park Association
No Kid Hungry
Urban School Food Alliance
YMCA
Zero to Three

What are the key provisions in The Keep Kids Fed Act?

• Extends the Area Eligibility waiver allowing family childcare homes to receive the higher Tier 1 reimbursements through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Streamlines access to healthy meals for children in family childcare homes by extending the area eligibility test waiver. This year, one of the most pressing problems is that schools do not have the income data needed to establish area eligibility. In addition, this test is not an effective mechanism, it misses many providers serving low-income children, especially in rural and suburban areas.
• Increases CACFP Reimbursements by 10 cents for each meal and snack for childcare providers and afterschool programs. This will help to stem participation declines, support good nutrition, and provide relief for struggling childcare to cope with supply chain and cost issues. These enhanced reimbursements will make it more affordable to provide the healthy foods required by CACFP. These healthy CACFP meals and snacks for young children in childcare are essential to supporting good health and development.
• Extends 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.
• Increases the school breakfast reimbursement by 15 cents and the school lunch reimbursement by 40 cents. Allows children eligible for reduced-price school meals to receive free school meals.