New legislation aims to guarantee an afternoon meal period

U.S. Reps. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, and Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., have introduced legislation that would reimburse participants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program for offering late-afternoon meals to children in care for more than eight hours a day.

Currently, the CACFP program reimburses participants, including afterschool and Head Start programs, for two meals a day, breakfast and lunch.

The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act also aims to reduce paperwork, prepare clearer guidelines for those providing the meals and streamline eligibility requirements.