By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH7
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) _ A federal program that feeds millions of low-income children may be overhauled for the first time in almost 50 years to make the meals healthier and reduce obesity.

About 3.8 million young children are fed daily through the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which primarily reimburses day-care providers. Another 120,000 elderly or disabled adults are fed each day in programs designed to spell caregivers.

More vegetables and less sugar lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposals. Grain-based desserts like cookies would no longer be reimbursed, and children younger than 1 wouldn’t be offered juice.

Facilities wouldn’t be reimbursed when food is deep-fried on site, although prepackaged fried foods, such as chicken nuggets, could still be served, though recommendations urge that they be offered infrequently.