Working Paper: NBER ID: w16148
Authors: Rachel A. Gordon; Robert Kaestner; Sanders Korenman; Kristin Abner
Abstract: This paper addresses three basic questions about an under-studied food subsidy program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP): (1) Does CACFP reach targeted low-income children? (2) How do eligible families and child care providers who participate differ from those who do not participate? (3) What is the association between attending CACFP-participating child care and children's food intake, weight, and food security? We use the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort to examine these questions for a representative sample of young children and their providers. We find that program eligibility rules leave many poor children outside the CACFP program. Yet, among poor preschoolers in center-based care, participation in the program is correlated with positive outcomes such as increased consumption of milk and vegetables, and healthier weight (BMI). We discuss the implications of our findings, especially in relation to other food and child care subsidy programs.
Keywords: Child and Adult Care Food Program; Nutritional Outcomes; Food Security; Low-Income Children
JEL Codes: I38; J13; J18
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| CACFP participation (I38) | increased consumption of milk (D18) |
| CACFP participation (I38) | increased consumption of fruits (D18) |
| CACFP participation (I38) | increased consumption of vegetables (D18) |
| CACFP participation (I38) | less likely to be underweight (I14) |
| CACFP participation (I38) | likelihood of being overweight (I14) |
| CACFP participation (I38) | likelihood of experiencing food insecurity (I32) |