DECAL Celebrates National CACFP Week at Local Center

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Nationwide awareness campaign highlights federally funded nutrition program

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) will celebrate National CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) Week at the Arthur M. Blank Family Youth YMCA, Wednesday, March 18, 2015 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. National CACFP Week “is a national education and information campaign…to raise awareness of how the USDA’s CACFP works to combat hunger and bring healthy foods to the table for adults in day care and children in child-care homes, centers and in afterschool and summer feeding programs across the country.”

The CACFP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Children up to age 12 and adults ages 60 or older, and adults who are functionally impaired, can receive nutritious meals while enrolled in qualified, non-residential child care or adult day care settings. Facilities approved by DECAL to provide meals that meet USDA meal pattern requirements can be reimbursed for those meals.

While National CACFP Week brings nationwide awareness to the program, DECAL Nutrition Services Director Falita Flowers explains that Georgia needs more facilities to participate in the CACFP. “Early healthy nutrition habits are critical to establishing a lifetime of healthy eating choices,” she said. “The CACFP provides children in care environments nutritious meals that meet federal requirements for providing balanced and healthy options. Our office is continually searching for institutions to participate in the program and instill these healthy habits early.”

The National CACFP Week event at the Arthur M. Blank Family Youth YMCA will include a press conference with DECAL Commissioner Amy Jacobs and a nutrition education activity presented by the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Learn how to get involved in the CACFP.

The USDA prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and employment activities.)

To file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form online or at any USDA office, or call 866-632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all the information requested on the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Director, Office of Adjudication
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Or fax it to 202-690-7442.

Or send an email to program.intake@usda.gov.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339, or 800-845-6136 (in Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Contact:
Reg Griffin
DECAL Communications Director
404-656-0239
reg.griffin@decal.ga.gov

Bill Valladares
GaFCP Communications Director
404-527-7394 (x114)
william@gafcp.org

Follow us on Twitter: @gafcpnews


Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families.  It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages the voluntary quality enhancement programs.

The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.