Senate Resolution No. 1885

BY: Senator SKOUFIS

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 10-16, 2024, as Child and Adult Care Food
Program Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that those
individuals who faithfully serve the needs of the community and its
citizens with steadfast dedication and compassionate commitment
profoundly strengthen our shared commitment to family and community
life; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 10-16, 2024, as
Child and Adult Care Food Program Week in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Child and Adult Care Food
Program Week; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1968 by the Department of
Agriculture, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) has provided
daily meals and snacks to children and adults; the program has reached
more than 4,200,000 children and 138,000 adults in child care centers,
adult day care homes, and after-school programs daily, covering the
costs of nearly 2,100,000,000 nutritious meals and snacks each year; and

WHEREAS, Research has displayed that the issue of childhood obesity
could be significantly reduced from the implementation of CACFP;
additionally, the program increases the quality of child care,
especially for children in low-income communities; and

WHEREAS, 16,000 child care centers currently face permanent closure
because of increased costs and burdens from the COVID-19 pandemic; CACFP
increases the effectiveness and viability of child care centers and
adult day care homes for many providers, especially in rural areas; and

WHEREAS, CACFP improves the cognitive, social, emotional, physical
health, and development of children; participants benefit from a
decreased likelihood of being hospitalized, an increased likelihood of
healthy weight gain, and an increased likelihood of a more varied diet,
including increased consumption of vegetables; and

WHEREAS, The two fundamental goals of the CACFP are that children
serviced by this program will be well nourished during their crucial
years, while concurrently learning healthy eating behaviors that will
last their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 10-16, 2024, as

Child and Adult Care Food Program Week in the State of New York; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York and the Department of Agriculture.