National CACFP Week Resolution Introduced in the House of Representatives
March 14, 2023
Today, March 14, 2023, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), along with cosponsors Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Ed Case (D-HI), and Dina Titus (D-NV), introduced a resolution to designate the third week of March 2023 as National CACFP Week.
“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 the National CACFP Sponsors Association, along with 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, and Early Care & Education Consortium.
"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.”
For more information, read the full resolution Expressing support for the designation of the third week of March 2023 as ‘‘National CACFP Week’’. You can also find it on congress.gov as H.Res.225.