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Take Action Opportunities for SNAP and Head Start

  • Writer: Samantha Marshall
    Samantha Marshall
  • Feb 20
  • 3 min read

There has been a lot of news and movement since the new administration and Congress has

begun their work. The Presidential Administration has made abrupt changes through executive orders, changes in federal contracts, federal staffing etc. Additionally, Congress is working through the budget reconciliation and 2025 appropriations process as the budget resolution deal that was made in December to continue funding the government is set to expire on March 14, 2025. 


I’m sure you're wondering how all of these things directly affect CACFP operations and funding, and I don’t have a clear answer for you. I can share this sentiment: whether it’s about the food program or not, advocates and insiders alike begin meetings with, “At this very moment in time, this is what we know to be true.” 


So, at this moment in time, this is what we know to be true. CACFP, as a program, is not spoken of as being directly at risk. National organizations are gathering monthly to strategize national CACFP advocacy efforts to protect and enhance the program; but as we all know, CACFP does not exist in a vacuum. 


There are programs at risk during the current budget process that will negatively our affect communities at large. Here are a couple of specific things that can be done to support some of them.

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is on the chopping block. Congress can’t get rid of  the program completely because it is a part of the “mandatory funding” bucket.  However, they can do things to make the benefits less (yes, even less than what they already are), implement work requirements, make eligibility access even harder and roll back recent and necessary changes to the Thrifty Food Plan. Eligibility for CACFP participation can be determined by categorical eligibility or as this National WIC Association brief refers to it as adjunct eligibility. This can be done by showing proof of participation in certain programs such as SNAP. Limiting access to SNAP and other essential programs limits access to more than just one needed benefit such as WIC and CACFP. 

    • Action Opportunities from FRAC:

      • Take Action 

        • Show your love for SNAP: Flood social media and call your Members of Congress TODAY via the Capitol switchboard to share and highlight the many strengths of SNAP and why it must be protected. Use the FRAC Action Network to email your Members and get vocal on social media with FRAC’s toolkit. 

        • Sign-on letter — Sign your national, state, or community-based organization (authorized signers only) on to this letter (now over 1,000 organizations) pushing back against proposals to cut, gut, and/or weaken SNAP and child nutrition programs in budget reconciliation or in the Farm Bill. Be sure to distribute the letter widely to your networks, listservs, and agencies and encourage them to sign and share.   

        • Take the FRAC SNAP Challenge: Try to get the nutrition you need on the average SNAP benefit of about $6 per person per day. Share your experience with Members of Congress to show why SNAP must be strengthened, not weakened.  

        • Learn more about the budget reconciliation and proposed cuts to school meals here.

  • Head Start isn’t on the leaked menu referenced in the National WIC Association brief, however, it is known to be in danger. We need to protect the funding of our Head Start programs.


We’ll continue to keep you up-to-date about action and advocacy opportunities as it relates to CACFP specifically and CACFP Roundtable's aligned programs and priorities. Please email me if you have questions/concerns or ideas samantha@cacfproundtable.org. We’re stronger together. If you’re not a member, consider joining our member community.

Our upcoming member meeting is on March 26th. We'll be providing Roundtable updates, policy updates, having breakout discussions and the second half of the meeting CDSS CACFP Branch joins us for needed updates. Register here.

On March 22nd, our Family Child Care Community of Wellness, will be coming together to discuss current policy and advocacy opportunities for CACFP and family child care providers. This is for family child care providers only, please share with your networks. Registration is here.


May 14th is the Roundtable Deep Dive virtual summit focused on infant and toddler nutrition in CACFP. Registration is open!


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