Earlier this month, Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced a bill that would strengthen the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act of 2009 (S. 2749) includes changes to nutrition programs for young children in child care centers, family child care programs, and Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Specifically the bill includes 1) increased reimbursement rates to participating providers to cover the cost of healthy food, 2) expanded eligibility guidelines to serve more low-income children, 3) that addition of a third meal or snack option for providers to claim, and 4) improved program and paperwork requirements for providers, sponsoring programs, state agencies, and parents. A bill like this can reduce childhood hunger and obesity, especially for children from low-income families.

If you are in favor of these changes, please contact Senator Herb Kohl and Senator Russ Feingold TODAY to tell them that you support the Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act (Senate Bill 2749). You can find out how to contact Senators Kohl and Feingold by clicking here and entering your mailing address.

Sample message to your representative:
My name is ___ and I am one of your constituents. I urge you to support the Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act, or Senate Bill 2749. This bill is a critical investment that can improve young children’s access to nutritious food while in child care programs. This bill also aims to lower childhood obesity, especially for children from low-income families.

Specifically, I am in favor of expanded eligibility guidelines to serve more low-income children, increased reimbursement rates to providers to cover the cost of healthy food, and adding a third meal or snack option for providers to claim.