Parents’ Knowledge and Perspectives About the New CACFP Meal Guidelines: A Qualitative Investigation

Abstract

\n \n \n Child day care centers that serve low-income families may qualify to participate in the US Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and receive reimbursement for meals and snacks served. In 2017, day care sites were mandated to follow the new CACFP meal guidelines. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge and perspectives about the new CACFP meal guidelines among parents of children attending day care sites.\n \n \n \n Individual interviews and focus groups with parents of children at CACFP day care sites in two Texas cities. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed using using a modified version of focused coding and grounded theory methods. Themes and sub-themes were identified. Quantitative data were analyzed for frequencies and descriptives.\n \n \n \n A total of 54 parents participated via 29 individual interviews and 7 focus groups and completed questionnaires. All participants were females; majority were Hispanics and with income < $20,000, about 67% were aware of the new CACFP meal guidelines. Five major themes emerged: thoughts on menus and meals served at day care (sub-themes: overall menu, nutritional value, portion size, quality, variety of options), perceived child likability of foods served at day care, perceived child satiety, suggested changes to meals, and barriers to children eating meals at day care (sub-themes: time, child preferences).\n \n \n \n This study helped identify thoughts and perceptions of parents of children attending CACFP day care. Issues identified should be systematically addressed and incorporated into CACFP menu planning at day care sites.\n \n \n \n NIH and USDA-ARS.\n