GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY TO PROCLAIM NOVEMBER 16 THROUGH 20 “MARYLAND HUNGER AWARENESS WEEK”

Have Lunch with Children at Annapolis Childcare; Celebrates One Year Milestone in Partnership to End Childhood Hunger

BALTIMORE, MD Governor Martin O’Malley today, in celebration of the one year anniversary of the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger, will have lunch with children who participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in Anne Arundel County and will declare next week, November 16 through 20, “Maryland Hunger Awareness” week.

Governor Martin O’Malley and Share Our Strength formed the Partnership to End Childhood Hunger in Maryland in November 2008. The Partnership’s goal is to increase participation in highly effective but under-utilized federal food and nutrition programs. Initially, the Partnership targeted increased participation in four specific food nutrition programs. Those programs were: The Food Supplement Program / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - formerly Food Stamps, the Summer Food Service Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). In 2009, the At-Risk Afterschool Supper and WIC programs were added. Increased participation in these nutrition programs will bring additional federal funds to the State while helping to fill the hunger gap. Governor O’Malley has vowed to be the first governor to end childhood hunger in his state.

The CACFP is a nutrition education and reimbursement program that gives children access to nutritious meals in child care settings. The CACFP is a federally funded U.S. Department of Agriculture program, administered by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), that helps children receive the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow. The CACFP serves over 500 child care centers and over 3,700 family child care homes in Maryland!