Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act

Why it Matters

The Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022 (KKFA) temporarily allowed for a 10-cent increase in reimbursement and for tier II family day care homes to receive tier I reimbursement rates. These temporary provisions were vital for CACFP providers across the nation. However, on June 30, 2023, the KKFA expired. As a result, the 2023-2024 reimbursement rates released by USDA show a decrease in reimbursement rates for many providers. Tier II family day care homes have been impacted the most, with a 52% decrease in reimbursement (see % change in reimbursement chart below).

In order to ensure that providers are able to continue to operate the CACFP and do not drop off of the program, increased reimbursement is needed. Eliminating the tiering system will also keep family day care home providers from having their reimbursement cut in half and remove a significant barrier to family day care homes joining the program.

NCA and Partners Endorse the Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act

NCA is proud to join over 40 national organizations in endorsing this historic bill. Here's what our President and CEO, Lisa Mack, has to say:

"The National CACFP Sponsors Association applauds Congressman Greg Landsman and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici for introducing this important legislation supporting the Child and Adult Care Food Program community. The CACFP is critical for the infrastructure and nutrition security of child and adult care. Eliminating tiering and increasing reimbursement is needed to mitigate the challenges of the increased food and operational costs facing providers and will help combat food insecurity and support small business. Without these changes, providers will likely continue to drop out of the program, close their child care altogether or pass the meal burden on to parents."

Congressman Landsman recognized the importance of child care providers and the meals served through the CACFP:

“We are facing a child care crisis in this country, and we need commonsense leadership and solutions to address these challenges. Working with more than 40 national organizations that are dedicated to improving children’s lives and outcomes, we’re putting forward a responsible legislative solution that will invest real dollars that will help child care providers remain open, while improving the meals we serve to children every single day.”

Congresswoman Bonamici also recognized the struggles providers are facing with rising costs:

“Child care providers play an essential role in feeding millions of children healthy meals and snacks. Unfortunately, outdated policies and the rising cost of food are cutting into the funds child care providers need to stay open and offer quality care. The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act is a commonsense way to support child care providers as we face a national crisis in care and help more children access healthy foods.”