Chefs, Advocates and Lawmakers: Child Care Means Business Event

As child care challenges continue to affect working parents, employers and small businesses, First Five Years Fund partnered with the Independent Restaurant Coalition and MomsFirst to highlight chefs and restaurant owners who, like millions of small business owners across the country, rely on child care to keep their doors open and kitchens running smoothly. Senators Katie Britt and Tim Kaine spoke to the crowd about teaming up on their new, bipartisan bill the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act, which would update the three child care tax provisions and  help more families find and afford the child care options they need. And advocates from over a dozen states debriefed after visiting over 50 Congressional offices to speak with lawmakers about the importance of including the Britt-Kaine tax legislation in upcoming tax legislation. 

Chefs from across the country dished out Virginia peanut tuna chaat and pesto focaccia bites to over 160 Congressional staffers, lawmakers, and child care advocates:

Johanna Hellrigl, chef and owner of Ama in Washington, D.C., Caroline Glover, chef and owner of Annette in Colorado, and Sunny Baweja, chef and owner of Lehja in Virginia, served delicious bites inspired by their restaurants while discussing just how critical child care is for their businesses and employees with attendees.

In their own words:

“Child care is essential infrastructure for our workforce. If we want a sustainable industry, we have to build it into the foundation. The future of our restaurants depends on our ability to support the people who make them run—and that includes making childcare accessible and affordable.” Caroline Glover,  Chef & Owner, Annette and Traveling Mercies,  Aurora, CO

“You can’t expect people to show up for their shifts when there’s no one to show up for their kids. It’s that simple.”  Sunny Baweja, Chef/ Owner, Lehja Restaurant, Richmond, VA 

“We’ve lost too many talented women in this industry because they couldn’t find—let alone afford—childcare. Britt-Kaine could change that. No one should be forced to leave the industry they love to raise their child full-time without choice. Our industry deserves more women ascending to leadership and reaching their full potential. As a mother and restaurant owner, this bill would have made a tremendous difference while I balanced building my career and becoming a mother.”  Johanna Hellrigl, Chef/Owner Ama Restaurant, Washington D.C.

This event was cosponosred by National Association of Counties, Tootris, Child Care Aware of America, Save the Children, ECEC, Low Income Investment Fund, Bipartisan Policy Center, and KinderCare.