Recognizing Importance Of Child And Adult Care Food Program

Floor Speech

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Mr. TONKO. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 442, which expresses Congress' support for the important work of the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Participation in nutrition programs sets the foundation for healthy lifetime eating behaviors. Studies prove that it is only when young children are well nourished that they feel secure, pay attention, behave and maintain good health. Through the Child and Adult Care Food Program's provisioning of nutritious meals and snacks, millions of children are able to experience the positive effects of improved nutrition.

Authorized by the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, the Child and Adult Care Food Program seeks to improve the quality of child care through the support of programs providing early education experiences while making such programs more affordable to our low-income families. As part of their day care program, licensed child care centers and child care homes participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program provide 2.9 million nutritious meals and snacks every day of operation. These meals and snacks have been found to be nutritionally superior to the meals provided by nonparticipating providers. In fact, the program that has its children participating in it, has them consuming more fruits, vegetables and milk than nonparticipants. They even have higher quality diets overall.

Beyond the services provided to young children in child care, the Child and Adult Care Food Program also provides meals for children in emergency shelters and those enrolled in eligible after-school care programs. Additionally, the program serves 86,000 adults receiving care in nonresidential adult day care centers.

Sponsorship of the child and adult care food program is critical now that the economic crisis is making it even harder for families to adequately feed their children. All children who qualify should be able to experience the positive benefits of the high-quality child care and nutritious meals as provided by the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Madam Speaker, once again, I express my support for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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