Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam

WHEREAS, one of the basic rights of children, as set forth by Eleanor Roosevelt in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, is their right to basic nutrition; and

WHEREAS, caring for our Commonwealth’s children must be our top priority; and

WHEREAS, since 1968, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) has granted children and adults excellent resources and benefits; and

WHEREAS, each day, this program provides over 24.8 million meals and snacks to over 59,000 individuals in childcare centers, family care homes, adult day centers, emergency shelters, and Head Start programs; and  

WHEREAS, over 1,000 care centers and 1,700 caregivers utilize the CACFP to provide children and adults with high quality nutritious food and learning experiences; and 

WHEREAS, the fundamental goal of the CACFP is that participants served by this program are well nourished while also learning healthy eating habits; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia acknowledges the contributions of child and adult care providers, nutrition educators, program staff, and parents that contribute to the success of the CACFP; and

WHEREAS, the CACFP will continue its commitment to teaching and emphasizing the benefits of nutritious eating; and

WHEREAS, together, as Virginians, we can make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable populations;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize March 14-20, 2021, as VIRGINIA CACFP WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.