The Southeast Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)  joins nutritional professionals and organizations around the country to recognize National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week (March 13-19).  The awareness week highlights how the USDA FNS program works to combat hunger by providing healthy foods to tables across the country for children in childcare centers, homes, and afterschool programs as well as adults in daycare.  

A top FNS priority for 2022 is continuing USDA’s focus on nutrition security, not just for the duration of the pandemic, but well into the future to make sure the CACFP and all programs USDA offers are providing access to nutritious food for all those in need.  

“Thousands of children and adults in the Southeast are struggling with food insecurity,” said FNS Southeast Regional Administrator Willie C. Taylor. “The CACFP is safeguarding those in need by providing nutritious meals, nutritional awareness, and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

In celebration of CACFP Week, state agencies and community partners throughout the Southeast are organizing virtual cooking demonstrations, sharing healthy recipes, adult meal pattern recommendations, and promoting farm to early childhood education activities, using fresh fruits and vegetables. Many of the activities will be shared on social media with #CACFPWeek2022. 

The nutrition standards for meals and snacks served in the CACFP are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The DGA are the basis of federal nutrition policy, education, outreach, and food assistance provided through the child nutrition programs. The Team Nutrition initiative helps schools, childcare settings, summer meal sites, parents/caregivers, and children put the DGA into action through training, technical assistance, and nutrition education. 

FNS thanks the National CACFP Sponsors Association,  state agencies, and many additional organizations for their partnership support.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America's food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov. 

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