USDA proposes changes to Child and Adult Care Food Program

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed the overhaul of a federal programme that feeds low-income-group children for the first time in 50 years.

The move is aimed at offering healthier food options and to bring down obesity in the country.

The call for changes in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) was first initiated with the 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act at the behest of First Lady Michelle Obama.

According to the new rule, CACFP providers will now be required to provide a greater variety of fruits and vegetables to children. There will be an increase in the amount of whole grains and a decline in sugar and fat in the diet.

The rules also put greater stress on supporting breastfeeding mothers, accepting tofu as a meat substitute and the availability of water at meals.

Grain-based desserts including cookies and cakes will not be reimbursed, and children below the age of one year will not be served juice. Facilities serving deep-fried food items on site will also not be reimbursed.

However, pre packaged fried foods such as chicken nuggets could still be served.

With an annual budget of $3bn, the programme that reimburses day-care providers involves the feeding of close to 3.8 million young children, along with 120,000 elderly or disabled adults.

It provides nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care-centers, adult day-care centres, outside-school-hours care centres, after-school at-risk programmes, family and group day-care homes, and homeless and emergency shelters.

---

Image: The Child and Adult Care Food Program feeds 3.8 million children and 120,000 elderly or disabled adults. Photo: courtesy of photostock/ freedigitalphotos.net.