Research shows that participating in CACFP improves food security among families with children; moderately increases children’s consumption of vegetables and milk, and may reduce prevalence of overweight.

Updated nutrition standards for CACFP took effect in 2017, the first major changes in nearly 50 years. These standards require more whole grains, a wider variety of fruits and vegetables, fewer added sugars, and less saturated fat. Research shows that participating centers are serving healthier foods, including fewer sugary drinks and more whole grains. One study of early care and education centers in Native American communities found that fiber consumption increased and sugar consumption decreased following implementation of the updated standards.

The Pandemic-EBT program, in addition to covering meals missed due to school closures, provides benefits to children in families who participate in SNAP whose covered child-care center may be closed due to the pandemic. Another provision, the Community Eligibility Provision, enables schools and child-care centers to provide free meals to all students in areas where a certain percentage of children who come from families furthest from economic opportunity. Both changes aim to ensure more children have access to healthy foods in child-care settings through CACFP.