Greater Valley YMCA participated in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food Program Week March 10-16, raising awareness of how the program works to combat hunger in Y programs in Lehigh and Northampton counties, a news release stated.

The CACFP is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers and school-age child care programs. In 2023, Greater Valley YMCA provided more than 166,000 nutritious meals and snacks to children at risk of food insecurity in the Lehigh Valley through CACFP.

According to a 2021 report by Feeding America, 10.7% of Lehigh Valley residents are food insecure, including 15% of children.

Children participating in CACFP benefit from early nutrition education to help them establish positive eating habits that will enrich the quality of their diet throughout their lives. Research shows CACFP reduces food insecurity and plays a vital, clear role in promoting nutrition security.

“We bring quality and delicious meals to our early learning centers so our children can focus on learning, growing and thriving - not their hunger,” Crystal Messer, vice president of child care for Greater Valley YMCA, said.

Along with social media posts and awareness signage in CACFP child care locations, children from throughout the Greater Valley Y’s child care programs were provided a cookbook of easy, healthy recipes to bring home to share with their families. Students also participated in making healthy pita pockets for themselves from one of the book’s recipes.

“Our after-school food programs provide youth and teens a consistent and safe environment to build relationships and lifelong healthy eating habits,” Maribel Tandazo, senior director of community impact for the Y, explained. “We strive to build culturally diverse menus and meals that provide the nutrition kids need.”

Parents of children in child care are assured their children receive high-quality meals. With proper nutrition, their children are less likely to experience illness and fatigue and will develop at a normal physical and intellectual pace.

By expanding access and strengthening CACFP, working families can ensure their children are well cared for and receive the nutrient-rich diet and tools they need to be healthy.

Tandazo also commented on the Y’s CACFP dinner program for youth 3:30-4:30 p.m. every Friday at Hibernia Fire Department in Allentown.

“The amazing city of Allentown firefighters come together every Friday during the school year to provide a nutritious and delicious meal provided by our Allentown branch through CACFP,” Tandazo said. “These city heroes are committed to the safety and well-being of the Allentown community and are committed to reducing food insecurity in their neighborhoods.”

The YMCA Bethlehem branch offers a CACFP after-school community food program 3:45-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for youth ages 18 and under at no cost. Neither registration nor membership is required for members of the community to access these free meals.

Greater Valley YMCA is a volunteer-led, nonprofit community organization serving more than 13,400 members across the Lehigh Valley, alongside thousands of additional program participants annually.

The Y is committed to strengthening community by positively changing lives every day. At each of our branches, we concentrate our efforts in three areas - youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Programs and services remain accessible to the community through its charitable mission. The Y distributed more than $780,000 in financial assistance and subsidy to neighbors in 2023 alone. The Greater Valley YMCA serves the Lehigh Valley and consists of branches in Allentown, Bethlehem, Catasauqua, Easton, Nazareth and Pen Argyl.

To learn more, support or join the Y, visit gv-ymca.org.