Comments from Secretaries Dan Glickman and Ann Veneman to U.S. Department of Agriculture

“As co-chairs of the Prevention Initiative of the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), we appreciate this opportunity to comment on the revised meal pattern for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). BPC commends USDA efforts to bring the CACFP meal pattern in line with the Dietary Guidelines.

“The emphasis on whole grains, promoting an increased diversity of fruits and vegetables, and the expansion of allowable meat alternatives are all positive changes, as are limitations on juice and added sugar. These improvements are consistent with our 2012 report, Lots to Lose: How America’s Health and Obesity Crisis Threatens our Economic Future, which called for USDA to ensure that all of its nutrition programs reflect the dietary guidelines.”