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Congressman Paul Tonko introduced a new bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would improve nutrition for millions of low-income children across the country. H.R. 4402, The Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act, will strengthen the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and expand young children’s access to healthy meals through child care centers, home day care, and Head Start programs.

This legislation is a companion bill to a bill introduced earlier this year in the U.S. Senate by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

“Good nutrition is critical for young children, especially for those under the age of five who are most likely to be in child care settings,” said Rep. Tonko.  “This bill will help more young children get the healthy meals they need, and help child care providers continue to support our nation’s working families. It’s important that we lend a hand to those people who need it the most in this tough economy.  With parents working longer hours at more jobs to make ends meet, it is critical that child care providers are given adequate resources to meet their demand as well.  Ultimately, this bill helps child care centers, which are small businesses, as well as working families.”

The CACFP is funded through the Child Nutrition Act, and provides meals to children in low-income areas who are enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start and child care programs in both day care centers and family child care homes. The reforms in Congressman Tonko’s legislation will improve child nutrition and health, reduce obesity, enhance child development and school readiness, reduce hunger, and make healthier meals more affordable.

Currently, CACFP reimburses providers for up to two meals and one snack per day. Congressman Tonko’s bill will expand the program to allow three meals and one snack per day. It will also expand the number of children who are eligible, by making it available in areas where 40-percent of the population is low income, instead of the current 50-percent. It will also raise reimbursement rates by 20-cents per meal and 10-cents per snack and require reimbursement for the additional meal or snack.

The following statements were given in support of The Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act:

“Rep. Tonko’s nutritious meals bill can decrease childhood obesity, improve child nutrition and health, enhance child development and school readiness, and reduce hunger,” said AFSCME International President Gerald W. McEntee. AFSCME represents over 300,000 family child care providers and Head Start teachers.

 “I always know my child is eating healthy at daycare. Without the program, the cost of tuition would increase because providers would have to pay for the meals. It helps families in the long run,” said Sarah Bellinger, Gloversville NY, a parent of a child in the CACFP.

“With the economy the way it is, I am now paying $5.00 for foods that I used to pay $2.00 for.  We are spending more money on food,” said Tricia Gray, a home day care provider in Troy, NY.  Rep. Tonko’s bill would increase reimbursements for providers like Tricia, to help ease the burden of providing nutritious foods for the children she takes care of.

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