P20: Feeding Practices of Childcare Staff in CACFP-Funded Centers

As one of USDA’s food assistance entitlement programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides nutritious meals and snacks to 2.9 million low-income American children, by reimbursing eligible childcare providers. CACFP also has suggested written feeding guideline policies to foster a supportive feeding environment, including allowing children to serve themselves. Interestingly, these guidelines are congruent with recommendations to prevent childhood overweight. Moreover, they support the concept of Satter’s division of responsibility. This concept assumes adults are responsible for selecting, preparing and offering healthful foods as well as determining when and where meals and snacks are served. On the other hand, children are responsible for how much they eat, or whether they eat at all— control of food intake.