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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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Nutrition Policy Institute comments in support of the USDA’s proposed updates to the WIC food package

March 1, 2023

By Lorrene D Ritchie, Danielle Lee

The USDA recently proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food packages, which includes a permanent increase to the cash value benefit (CVB) for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

New research brief: Connecting to culture helps families return to drinking water

February 27, 2023

By Danielle Lee, Christina E Hecht, Lorrene D Ritchie

Researchers conducted a small community-based participatory research pilot of a drinking water intervention in the Navajo Nation and found that caregivers' reported knowledge of Din (Navajo) traditions about water doubled and that the influence of Din traditions on beverages they offered their child...

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

NPI partners with Stanford, Dolores Huerta Foundation and Cultiva La Salud on a community-academic alliance to promote Universal School Meals in the San Joaquin Valley

February 24, 2023

By Danielle Lee, Lorrene D Ritchie, Christina E Hecht

California's San Joaquin Valley is home to many low-income Latino agricultural-worker families who disproportionately experience food insecurity and diet-related diseases. Yet free school meal participation is surprisingly low.

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

New study examines perceptions of water safety and whether they influence beverage intake preferences

February 23, 2023

By Christina E Hecht, Danielle Lee, Lorrene D Ritchie

Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), instead of plain water, is associated with poorer health outcomes and a higher risk of developing diet-related chronic diseases. However, public distrust of the local water supply may deter the intake of plain drinking water.

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

NPI research brief elevates voices of WIC participants to inform revisions of WIC food packages

February 17, 2023

By Danielle Lee, Lorrene D Ritchie

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food packages provide a specific set of foods to meet nutritional needs of low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum individuals, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk.