National CACFP Association marks 40 years of advocacy

The National CACFP Association is celebrating four decades of advocacy for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, highlighting efforts to shape policy, elevate provider voices and expand access to nutritious meals for children and adults in care. The group is also backing two bills in Congress that it says would modernize and strengthen the program.

Why it matters: - The National CACFP Association's advocacy affects how children and adults in care settings access nutritious meals. - The Child and Adult Care Food Program supports food security, healthy development and the providers who run meal service every day. - Policy changes can reduce administrative burden, improve reimbursement and expand participation for care programs nationwide.

What happened: - The National CACFP Association said it is marking 40 years of advocacy as it celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. - The association was founded in 1986 and has focused on supporting the Child and Adult Care Food Program since then. - The association outlined its advocacy work in Round Rock, Texas, on July 9, 2026.

The details: - The National CACFP Association works to educate policymakers, community leaders and the public about CACFP's role in fighting food insecurity and supporting healthy development. - National CACFP Week is one of the association's most visible outreach efforts and is designed to raise awareness of the program and the providers who deliver it. - Each year, advocates work with elected officials to secure proclamations and congressional recognition for CACFP. - The association has backed federal legislation that improves access, strengthens reimbursement and lowers barriers for providers. - The National CACFP Association also submits feedback during USDA regulatory rulemaking to help shape policies for providers, sponsors and state agencies. - The association has taken part in Child Nutrition Reauthorization discussions and has provided testimony during congressional hearings. - Two bills now before Congress are central to the group's current push. - The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act would modernize CACFP policy and reduce administrative burden for providers. - The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act would strengthen participation and support child care programs that rely on CACFP. - The National CACFP Association has endorsed both bills. - The association uses advocacy campaigns, an Action Center and educational resources to help providers and sponsors contact elected officials, host site visits and share their stories. - NCA regularly brings together partners across states to share knowledge, identify challenges and develop solutions. - The association holds quarterly meetings with state agencies to discuss emerging issues, share best practices and coordinate CACFP implementation. - Recent initiatives such as Farm to CACFP connect child and adult care programs with local food systems and strengthen nutrition education and community partnerships.

Between the lines: - The association is making the case that program support is not only about meals, but also about policy design, administrative simplicity and public awareness. - Provider stories are a core advocacy tool because personal examples can carry more weight with lawmakers than technical briefs. - The state-agency meetings suggest CACFP administration requires ongoing coordination, not just federal guidance. - Farm to CACFP shows the association is linking nutrition policy with local food and community development goals.

What's next: - The National CACFP Association plans to keep pressing Congress, federal agencies and state leaders for policies that expand access and improve CACFP. - The association says the next phase of advocacy depends on strong partnerships, informed policymakers and engaged advocates across the country. - NCA will continue pushing to ensure children and adults in care have access to nutritious meals.

The bottom line: - After 40 years, the National CACFP Association is still treating advocacy as the engine that keeps CACFP visible, supported and effective.