Improving Child Care Nutrition
AB 1872 (Alejo) proposes amending licensing laws by requiring family day care home providers to comply with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern, whether they are enrolled in the program or not, and by requiring licensing authorities to inform all licensed child care providers about CACFP, including information about eligibility, enrollment, and reimbursement procedures.
CFPA Primary Contacts
Ellen Braff-Guajardo
Senior Nutrition Policy Advocate
Oakland Office
510.301.0824
ellen@cfpa.net
Elyse Homel Vitale
Nutrition Policy Advocate
Los Angeles Office
619.501.8248
elyse@cfpa.net
Child Care Nutrition Resources
For more on Child Care Nutrition, visit
CFPA's Child Care Nutrition page.
AB 1872 (Alejo): Improving Child Care Nutrition
Most people are surprised to learn that licensed family day care homes are not legally obligated to follow any nutrition standards for the meals and snacks they serve. By contrast, licensed child care centers must follow the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern. To close this nutrition gap, AB 1872, authored by Assembly Member Luis Alejo (D-Salinas), would require, as a condition of licensure, that family day care homes also comply with the CACFP meal pattern. In addition, AB 1872 would oblige licensing authorities to inform all child care providers about how to participate in CACFP, a federal nutrition program that provides reimbursements to help cover the cost of meals and snacks.
Updates & News
AB 1872 Passes Assembly Human Services Committee!
4.11.2012 AB 1872 passed through the Assembly Human Services Committee yesterday afternoon! Read more here…
Take Action Now! AB 1872 Needs Your Support!
3.30.2012 Learn more about recent amendments to AB 1872 and make sure to get in your letters of support before AB 1872 heads to the Assembly Human Services Committee! Read more here…
AB 1872 Heading to Assembly Health Services Committee!
3.15.2012 Just announced: AB 1872 (Alejo) Improving Child Care Nutrition: Healthy Eating Starts Early will be heard by the Assembly Health Services Committee on April 10th. Read more here…
Seeking Co-Authors for AB 1872
02.27.2012 Assembly Member Alejo is seeking co-authors for AB 1872. Please ask your local legislator to serve as a co-author of AB 1872 using this co-author letter request. PDF
AB 1872 Sample Letter of Support Now Available!
2.27.2012 AB 1872 will be heard in the Assembly Human Services Committee on April 10 or April 24 Read more here…
AB 1872 (Alejo): Improving Child Care Nutrition Introduced
2.22.12 Today Assembly Member Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) introduced CFPA’s 2012 legislative proposal, Improving Child Care Nutrition: Healthy Eating Starts Early. AB 1872 aims to Read more here…
Supporting Documents
Sample Letter of Support
Personalize this sample letter of support to show why AB 1872 is needed and valuable legislation! doc
Read why CFPA supports this bill PDF
Bill Language
AB 1872, as amended on April 12, 2012 PDF
AB 1872, History link
AB 1872 Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet from CFPA on the bill PDF
AB 1872 Frequently Asked Questions
A CFPA prepared document answering common questions about the bill PDF
Useful Background Materials
California Legislation Related to Child Care Nutrition
AB 2084 (2010) link
Additional Background Materials
CACFP meal pattern chart link
CACFP eligibility for child care centers and homes link
CACFP reimbursement rates for child care centers and homes in California link
Child Care in California, data from the California Resource & Referral Network link
NRC’s Achieving a State of Healthy Weight: A National Assessment of Obesity Prevention Terminology in Child Care Regulations 2010 link
Relevant Media
Nutrition and Physical Activity Environments in Licensed Child Care: A Statewide Assessment of California. CFPA, Samuel & Associates, Center for Weight & Health, March 2009 PDF
A Statewide Analysis of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and Family Child Care Providers in Oregon. Oregon Child Development Coalition, 2007 PDF
Promoting Quality in Family Child Care. US General Accounting Office, Dec 1994 PDF
Page last updated 4.20.2012