Disparities in Major Challenges Experienced With Child and Adult Care Food Program Participation Among Early Child Care Providers

Abstract

Objective: Examine challenges to Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) participation across 2 time points by key provider characteristics.

Methods: Two nationally representative studies of CACFP early child care providers from the Study of Nutrition and Activity in Childcare Settings, collected data in program year (PY) 2016-2017, and Study of Nutrition and Activity in Childcare Settings collected in PY 2022-2023.

Results: One in 4 (26%) of providers reported meal reimbursement rates as a major challenge in PY 2016-2017, whereas 1 in 3 (36%) did in PY 2022-2023. Family child care homes, nonmetro providers, and providers in areas with high shares of minority children were significantly more likely to cite reimbursements as insufficient in PY 2022-2023 compared with PY 2016-2017.

Conclusions and implications: Certain providers face unique challenges with meal reimbursements, which may have been exacerbated by the difficulties associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and food price inflation. Providers could benefit from guidance on how to cover the difference between food costs and CACFP reimbursements, especially for providers whose tuition rates are lower and less likely to cover these costs.

Keywords: CACFP; child care; child nutrition; food assistance; food policy.