Kristin Abner

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 ...

Published: Gordon, Rachel A., Robert Kaestner, Sanders Korenman, and Kristin Abner. 2011. "The Child and Adult Care Food Program: Who is Served and Why?" Social Service Review 85 (3): 359 - 400. Frank R. Breul Memorial Prize for the best publication in Social Services Review 2012