Nutrition Policy Institute News

The latest news and updates from the Nutrition Policy Institute at the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Sign up to receive Research to Action, the Nutrition Policy Institute's quarterly news brief providing information on research, policy, news, announcements, events, articles and action items focused on nutrition and healthy communities.

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NPI News Archive: 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015

Study highlights barriers to accessing poverty alleviation benefits through the Earned Income Tax Credit

November 25, 2025

By Danielle Lee, Wendi Gosliner

The Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, is the largest U.S. poverty alleviation program for families with children—providing over $60 billion annually in tax refunds to over 25 million families. This tax refund can improve low-income families' health by increasing resources for food and housing, however, over…

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New publication shows how Fermi estimates can help fill data gaps in needs assessments

November 24, 2025

By Summer J Cortez, Carolyn D Rider, Miranda W Brown

Nutrition Policy Institute's latest peer-reviewed publication, "Using Fermi Estimates within Needs Assessments: An Extension Professional’s Guide,” authored by Emma Lonstrup, Carolyn Rider, and Miranda Westfall Brown was published in the Journal of Extension. The publication explores a common challenge…

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Recruiting participants for study on toddlers who drink cow's milk—receive free milk for one year and up to $275 by participating

November 21, 2025

By Danielle Lee

Do you have a toddler who is currently drinking cow’s milk? Do you live in California? You are invited to participate in a 1-year study regarding child milk intake. The purpose of this study is to see how the type of milk—whole fat vs low-fat 1%—consumed between the ages of 2-3 years old affects the health,…

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New study finds deimplementing Universal Free School Meals adversely affects students and school food authorities

November 17, 2025

By Brianna Aguayo Villalon, Danielle Lee, Monica D Zuercher, Wendi Gosliner

The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program play a crucial role in ensuring access to nutritious meals for children in the US. During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal waivers allowed all schools to offer Universal Free School Meals (UFSM) from 2020 to 2022, but when these waivers expired,…

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NPI job opening: Assistant Project Scientist

November 4, 2025

The Nutrition Policy Institute is seeking to hire a post-doctoral researcher as an Assistant Project Scientist to work on studies related to youth cardiometabolic health, school physical activity and nutrition programs (recess, PE, school meals), and nutrition and physical activity policy implementation…

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