Early Childhood Nutrition Programs in the District Critical to Fueling Growth and Development for Children Ages 0–5
Media Contact:
Colleen Barton Sutton
703-203-7843
cbsutton@frac.org
WASHINGTON, April 25, 2024 – More must be done to ensure children ages 0–5 residing in the District of Columbia receive the nutrition they need for healthy growth and development, according to a report released today by D.C. Hunger Solutions. The District of Columbia Early Childhood Nutrition Report: The Impact of Participation in Federal Nutrition Programs provides an overview of participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and the Farm to Early Care and Education Programs, along with opportunities for future improvement through increased funding for existing programs and new efforts focused on research, community engagement, and data sharing.
“Early child nutrition programs set the foundation for infants and young children to thrive today, and well into the future,” said LaMonika Jones, director of D.C. Hunger Solutions. “Yet too many children in our community are missing out. The time is now to ensure that every eligible child in the District has access to these proven programs.”
The report reviews preliminary WIC data for the District, which shows that, in August 2023, 86 percent of those enrolled were participating in the program. Comparing data from previous years shows that while WIC coverage rates are improving, there remains a need to increase coverage rates, as well as focusing efforts on improving participation among those enrolled.
Research compiled in the report also reveals untapped potential for CACFP participation. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service shows that in fiscal year 2022, the average daily attendance in the program in D.C. was 37,516 participants with over 13.4 million meals served. Additionally, data from Child Care Aware of America and the District of Columbia Division of Health & Wellness dashboard shows that there were 488 child care programs in D.C. in 2022 with only 33 percent participating in CACFP, and that there continues to be areas of potential CACFP eligibility. This further highlights a need to increase participation in the program.
Further investments also are needed to restrengthen Farm to Early Care and Education Programs, which aim to improve the health, nutrition, and wellness in early childhood through increased access to local foods, hands-on gardening activities, and tailored nutrition education. According to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education Healthy Schools Act 2022 report, pre-K students engaged in garden-based learning activities decreased from 3,123 students during school year 2019–2020 down to 2,126 students during school year 2020–2021. While it is possible decreases can be attributed to the limited classroom participation due to the impacts of virtual learning during the pandemic, future investments will aid in restoring engagement in garden-based Farm to Early Care and Education Learning activities.
The report highlights several recommendations for expanding the reach of early child nutrition programs, including:
Increase full funding for WIC Expansion Act, which was enacted in 2019 in D.C. to reduce restrictions on WIC vendors to increase participation among smaller stores. It also requires the assembly of a WIC outreach advisory board to develop plans for improving WIC participation in the District. Informed staff also are needed. Participants expressed that staff who are unaware of the foods on the WIC-approved list and stores without updated or proper signage can make it challenging for participants to purchase what they need.
Increase funding for the Healthy Tots Act, which was passed in D.C. in 2014 to provide additional funding to child care facilities that are participating in CACFP. Through the Healthy Tots Act, eligible child care centers and daycare homes can receive funding for a third meal, are encouraged to follow additional nutrition standards and use more local foods, and can apply for grants to support additional nutrition and physical activity programs. Funding in support of Healthy Tots Act also acts to establish direct support lines and technical assistance to decrease the administrative burden for CACFP operations that could increase participation and further integrate nutritious meals and snacks served at early child care sites.
Increase funding to support local food programs to increase children’s education on food, nutrition, and agriculture through hands-on experiences. These experiences give children more of an opportunity to try a variety of fruits and vegetables and to spend time outdoors, which ultimately plays a role in leading to healthier outcomes.
Download the report to learn more.
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About D.C. Hunger Solutions
D.C. Hunger Solutions, founded in 2002 as an initiative of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), works to create a hunger-free community and improve the nutrition, health, economic security, and well-being of low-income people in the District of Columbia. To learn more about D.C. Hunger Solutions, visit www.dchunger.org.