The Budget Threat CACFP Providers Should Know About

The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) — one of the leading anti-hunger research and policy organizations in the country — recently published a warning that proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could have a cascading effect on child nutrition programs, including the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

This isn't just a SNAP issue. Here's why CACFP providers, Head Start programs, and child care centers should be paying attention.

How SNAP and CACFP Are Connected

SNAP and CACFP are both authorized under the same federal child nutrition legislation. When Congress considers budget reconciliation packages that cut SNAP, the same legislative vehicle can affect funding, eligibility rules, and reimbursement rates for CACFP and SFSP.

According to FRAC, the cuts "would not only threaten the food security and health of vulnerable individuals and communities, but they would also harm the federal child nutrition programs."

For CACFP providers specifically, this could mean:

- **Reduced reimbursement rates** that make it harder for daycare centers and family child care homes to serve quality meals - **Tighter eligibility requirements** that reduce the number of children covered by the program - **Administrative funding cuts** that affect state agency oversight and CACFP sponsor support services

What CACFP and SFSP Providers Can Do

Stay informed. The child nutrition community has successfully advocated against harmful cuts before. Organizations like FRAC, the National CACFP Sponsors Association, No Kid Hungry, and the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) regularly organize advocacy campaigns when legislation threatens these programs.

**Practical steps for providers:** 1. Follow FRAC's child nutrition policy updates at frac.org 2. Connect with your state CACFP agency for local advocacy opportunities 3. Join the National CACFP Sponsors Association for legislative alerts 4. Share your program's impact stories — real numbers and real families make the strongest case for protecting child nutrition funding

The Bigger Picture for Child Nutrition Programs

CACFP, SFSP (SUN Meals), SNAP, WIC, and school meals are all part of an interconnected child nutrition safety net. Weakening one program puts pressure on all the others. When SNAP benefits are cut, families rely more heavily on CACFP meals at their child care provider. When CACFP reimbursements shrink, providers struggle to maintain meal quality and compliance.

These programs work best when they work together — and that's worth protecting.