About Us

Stacy Dean listens to stakeholders and is open to finding and implementing solutions that will work. She recognizes that child nutrition programs play a key role in improving child health and that participation in the USDA CACFP supports nutrition security in our youngest and most vulnerable population and in older adults.

Most recently, Ms. Dean was instrumental in working with Congress on the “Keep Kids Fed Act” legislation, which was crucial for CACFP providers and sponsoring organizations as they continue to economically recover from the impact of the pandemic. The temporary increase in reimbursement for CACFP meals and supplements, as well as extension of the area eligibility waiver for struggling family child care homes, provides an impactful lifeline to a child care industry that is in crisis.

Ms. Dean understands that child nutrition programs do not operate in a vacuum. She recognizes the importance of going beyond food insecurity and ensuring that children receive meals that contribute to nutrition security. She discerns the significance of equitable food systems and equitable solutions, and the impact that child nutrition programs could have on other areas, such as child care, climate change and food waste.

We thank Stacy Dean for her role in strengthening the CACFP, and are pleased to honor her with the Friend of CACFP Award.

We are pleased to present the award this year to the Administrator of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Cindy Long, for her work with the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, her support of the much-needed flexibilities during the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic, and her years of dedication to improvements in the CACFP and all other child nutrition programs.

In September of 2021, Ms. Long was appointed Administrator for the Food and Nutrition Service. She most recently served as Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Acting Administrator, and has had extensive experience with FNS, including serving as Deputy Administrator for Child Nutrition Programs. In this role, she led FNS’ implementation of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, the most significant restructuring of these programs in decades and a legislative centerpiece of the Obama-Biden Administration’s nutrition initiatives. Previously, she held various other program management and research positions in FNS.

This past year, US Congressional Representative David Trone introduced the Food and Nutrition Provider Emergency Support Act of 2020 that legislated emergency funding to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federal program that provides nutritious meals to qualifying children and adults. This legislation was crucial in keeping child care providers and sponsoring organizations in business so they could continue to do their work in fighting food insecurity during the pandemic.

As Representative Trone stated, “During the COVID-19 outbreak, the CACFP has provided critical nutrition and meal support to childcare centers and afterschool programs, children and adult day care centers, and children residing in emergency shelters. At a time when many children and adults rely on meals and snacks from these programs, additional funding is necessary so participating institutions and sponsors implementing CACFP can continue feeding children in need. Many schools are also using this program to provide dinner for children who are out of school during this unprecedented public health crisis. No child or adult should wonder where their next meal is coming from, especially during a global pandemic that has threatened the physical, mental, and economic health of our nation.”

Since beginning her service to the US Congress in 2012, Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici has focused on Child Nutrition Reauthorization for the CACFP, strengthening public education, equity in education, policy and funding to support student success, and co-founding the bi-partisan Congressional STEAM Caucus. Congresswoman Bonamici currently serves as a leader on the Education and Labor committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services. In Congress, she is fighting for an equitable economy that gives everyone the opportunity to succeed. In 2015, Congresswoman Bonamici introduced The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act for CNR and is again dedicating her time to what will best benefit the children and the food program. Her approach has been refreshingly straight forward and includes many no cost additions to CNR with a remarkable knowledge of the CACFP.

The National CACFP Sponsors Association Friend of CACFP Award honors and recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to supporting and improving the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) through leadership and initiative. We are pleased to present the award this year to Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. We appreciate Congresswoman Bonamici’s diligent work to expand and protect child nutrition programs in our country. We recognize the challenges she has undertaken to push for changes in hunger relief programs and food security for our nation’s children and elderly. We honor her with the 2020 Friend of CACFP Award.

​The National CACFP Sponsors Association's (NCA) Friend of CACFP Award honors and recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to supporting and improving the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) through leadership and initiative.

Congressman Scott has represented Virginia’s third congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993 and currently serves as the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor. Most recently, Congressman Scott sponsored the bill for improved quality child care access with CACFP support, known as the Comprehensive Child Care and Early Learning Bill to Ensure Child Care for All. Prior to his service in Congress, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1978 to 1983 and in the Senate of Virginia from 1983 to 1993.

NCA appreciates Congressman Scott’s diligent, lifetime work to expand and protect child nutrition programs in our country. We recognize the challenges he has undertaken to push for changes in hunger relief programs and food security for our nation’s children and elderly. We thank Congressman Scott for his work and honor him with the 2019 Friend of CACFP Award.

Acceptance Video

The National CACFP Sponsors Association Friend of CACFP Award honors and recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to supporting and improving the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program through leadership, initiative, advocacy, legislation, education or professional endeavors that exemplify a positive impact or advancement of the program.

As co-chair of the House Hunger Caucus and Chairman of the Board of the nonprofit Congressional Hunger Center, Representative McGovern leads the movement to guarantee what he considers to be a fundamental human right: the right to food. As an advocate, Representative McGovern has pushed for changes to foreign aid and hunger relief programs, proposed establishing a "hunger czar position" to take on food issues and hopes to reframe the discussion by convening a conference on food, nutrition, and hunger. His vision is to gather key players from agencies and NGOs, chefs, nutritionists, teachers, and advocates, to put together a road map to fight hunger.

Representative McGovern understands the connection between poverty, hunger and health as the ranking Democrat on the Nutrition Subcommittee, “Hunger in the US is a political decision. There are many problems that I don’t know how to solve—this is a solvable problem.”

The care, development and health of children has been Gail’s focus for over thirty years, 25 of them as CEO of Providers Choice, a company with annual revenues of over $24,000,000, which she founded in 1985.

Providers Choice (PCI) represents 5000 Family Child Care Providers and Centers serving 52,000 children. PCI’s mission is to insure the health and wellbeing of children in day care, to stretch and support caregivers and to promote childcare as a profession.

Gail has been a catalyst in growing Providers Choice to become the largest CACFP sponsor in the United States. She is leading the charge against childhood obesity with innovative training in Nutrition most recently implementing Health and Wellness in the Day Care setting and bringing in local chefs to create a nutrition program that can be a model nationwide.

Gail served on the National CACFP Sponsors Association board from 1990 to 1999 and as President from 1995 to 1998. After taking a break from the board Gail was re-elected to the board in 2002 and served a second term as President from 2004 to 2007. She also served as Secretary from 2010-2013 and has served as Website Chair since 2005.

Over the years Gail has served on many committees and task forces. She was invited to the White House by President Clinton to participate in the first White House Conference on Child Care, she served on the USDA 5-star Child Nutrition Task Force, and the USDA Paperwork Reduction Task Force.

The Sales and Marketing Executive of Minneapolis awarded Gail the Women in Business Career Achievement Award in 1994.

The National CACFP Sponsors Association Friend of CACFP Award honors and recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to supporting and improving the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program through leadership, initiative, advocacy, legislation, education or professional endeavors that exemplify a positive impact or advancement of the program. Senator Casey is a nationally recognized advocate for children. Senator Casey has been a strong advocate for SNAP and other nutritional programs and most recently introduced and sponsored Senate bill 1833 - Access to Healthy Food for Young Children Act. Born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Bob Casey graduated from The College of the Holy Cross in 1982 and spent the following year teaching fifth grade and coaching eighth grade basketball in inner city Philadelphia for the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. He received his law degree from Catholic University in 1988 and entered the practice of law in Scranton.

Watch Senator Casey's Acceptance Speech

The 2015 recipient of the Friend of CACFP Award, Congresswoman Fudge is a committed public servant who brings a hard-working, problem-solving spirit to Congress and to the task of protecting safety net programs, and improving access to child nutrition programs and healthy foods.

First elected in 2008, she represents the people of the 11th Congressional District of Ohio. Congresswoman Fudge has served the people of Ohio for more than two decades, beginning with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. She was the first African American and the first female mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio. Congresswoman Fudge serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce which is charged with legislation for CACFP and all child nutrition programs. She is the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education.

Congresswoman Fudge consistently fights for equitable access to a quality education from preschool through post-secondary programs, child nutrition, food stamp (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients, for access to locally grown, healthy foods. Congresswoman Fudge's work ethic, problem solving approach, and ability to build collaborative relationships has earned her a reputation among her colleagues in Washington and at home as an insightful leader and knowledgeable legislator. NCA is proud to honor Congress Marcia L. Fudge for her support of CACFP.

Watch Representative Marcia Fudge's acceptance speech

The National CACFP Sponsors Association Friend of CACFP Award honors and recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to supporting and improving the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program through leadership, initiative, advocacy, legislation, education or professional endeavors that exemplify a positive impact or advancement of the program.

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan is a prominent national leader known for her ability to build coalitions to get things done for our country. She serves as Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, and as a senior member of the Finance, Energy and Budget Committees, giving her a  powerful and unique role to play in shaping our nation’s manufacturing, agriculture, health care and energy policies, so critical to our future. She is a strong advocate for food programs, and supported the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which improved the quality of meals available and provided better access to nutrition for children in schools and at day cares. She also sponsored the AFTERSchool Meals Act to expand afterschool meal programs to all 50 states. Her 2014 Farm Bill, which expands access to local healthy foods and support for community gardens, was recently signed into law and will help families put more healthy, fresh and local foods on their kitchen tables. She is a true champion for food and nutrition.

The 2014 Friend of CACFP award is being presented to Senator Stabenow for her tireless efforts to improve the lives of America’s children, for her leadership in the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, and her efforts to set new nutrition standards for all meals served in the CACFP.

Watch the Senator's Video Acceptance

The National CACFP Sponsors Association Friend of CACFP Award honors and recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to supporting and improving the USDA Child and Adult Care Food through leadership and initiative. Individuals awarded have made significant and demonstrable contributions to the CACFP through advocacy, legislations, education or professional endeavors that exemplify a positive impact or advancement of the program.

The 2013 Friend of CACFP award is presented to Senator Amy Klobuchar for her tireless efforts to improve the lives of America's children, for her leadership in the passage of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids act and her efforts to set new nutrition standards for all meals served in the CACFP.

In 2006, Amy Klobuchar became the first woman elected to represent the State of Minnesota in the United States Senate. Throughout her public service - both as chief prosecutor in the state's largest county and now as a U.S. Senator - Amy has been guided by the values she learned growing up in Minnesota.

Before being elected to public office, she was the leading advocate for successful passage of one of the first laws in the country guaranteeing 48-hour hospital stays for new moms and their babies.

Her work has gained national recognition. Working Mother Magazine named her as a 2008 "Best in Congress" for her efforts on behalf of working families. The American Prospect named her a "woman to watch." The Star Tribune reported on her substantial progress, calling her "a fast-moving legislator."

NCA is proud to present this award to Senator Klobuchar who is truly a Friend of the CACFP and all of America's children.

Watch Senator Amy Klobuchar's Acceptance Speech!

Cheryl started her career in child nutrition in 1975 after she received her degree in Early Childhood Development and was hired as the Director of a child care center participating on the CACFP. This is where her passion for child nutrition flourished leading to her long and distinguished career. In 1979 she started working in Burlington, IA with Community Action of Southeast Iowa, where she sponsored home providers on the CACFP.  The agency has grown to now sponsoring 82% of area eligible home providers and two centers in her three decade’s with Community Action.

In 1984 she received an invitation to attend a meeting with other like-minded Sponsors who wanted support to improve child care nutrition practices. After a couple of years of discussion and brain storming this group created the Midwest Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsors’ Association.  Although The Sponsors’ Association initially started in the midwest, Cheryl’s support along with the other founding members made it possible to help Sponsors of homes and centers all over the country by forming the The National CACFP Sponsors’ Association.

Cheryl’s accomplishments are vast and in a variety of different areas. She has said that working for Community Action of Southeast Iowa has allowed her to “wear many hats.” Her CACFP Director duties include managing the budget, leading group trainings for providers, creating menu and physical activities for children, and writing newsletters for parents and providers.  She also manages a Family Support Home Visitation program and provides nutrition information and trainings for parents.

Her day- to-day activities are busy enough but she also has served on numerous committees as well. She has served on the Board of Directors as Secretary, Membership Chair and Conference Coordinator.  She made sure the annual conference location was convenient and affordable; the speakers were informative and engaging; and of course planned yummy meals and networking receptions.  Despite all the hard work she enjoys the conferences because “it brings Sponsor’s together and connects the CACFP community.” In 2012 when she no longer was responsible for planning the conference and was able to enjoy it as a participant she was recognized for all her hard work and dedication to the Sponsors’ Association by receiving the National CACFP Sponsors Association Friend of CACFP Award. “It was exciting to get recognized for something I have been passionate about my whole life,” said Cheryl.

As a Board Member she has always fought for the smaller Sponsors to make sure they got the training and support they needed to be successful. While at conferences or at board meetings the information Cheryl learned would always make it back to Iowa where she shared it with the other Sponsors in her state.

When asked her favorite aspects of the job Cheryl said, “It’s when the light goes on for the children and they develop healthy life long healthy eating habits; being able to help all families receive nutritious meals and snacks for their children when they are away from home; seeing providers who have been on the program for 15-20 years trying new recipes; and best of all, watching children engage in trying in new foods.”

Cheryl believes “nutrition is the key to building strong families,” and because of her years of outstanding service, there are many strong families not only in Iowa but all over the country.

2011 Gaylene Barstow

2010 Senator Gilldibrand

2005 Thora Cahill

2003 Carolyn Brown & CA State Agencies

2002 Honorable Dale Kildee Michigan Congressman

2001 Stan Garnett USDA

2000 Ed Morawitz USDA

1999 Shirley Watkins USDA

1998 Geri Henchy FRAC

1997 Ed Cooney FRAC & USDA

1996 Senator Luger, Indiana