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

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

NPI comments on proposed SNAP participant information database

July 29, 2025

By Danielle Lee, Christina E Hecht, Wendi Gosliner

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP nationally and CalFresh in California, is the nation’s largest nutrition assistance program. It supports over 41 million families with low-income by providing monthly food benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently …

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

University of California experts support front-of-package nutrition labels

July 28, 2025

By Danielle Lee, Christina E Hecht, Wendi Gosliner

To support healthier consumer choices, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed mandatory front-of-package labels on packaged foods and beverages highlighting levels of nutrients to limit—saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. The University of California Research Consortium on Beverages and…

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Study identifies what’s keeping students from eating free school meals

July 23, 2025

By Danielle Lee, Monica D Zuercher, Dania Orta-Aleman, Wendi Gosliner

In a new study published in the Journal of School Health, researchers sought to understand food service directors’ perceptions of why some students were not participating in school meals even when they were served free of charge to all public school students in the U.S. during the COVID-19…

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Statewide School Meals for All policies are associated with lower prevalence of household food insecurity

July 18, 2025

By Danielle Lee, Dania Orta-Aleman, Wendi Gosliner

A new study showed statewide School Meals for All policies are associated with lower prevalence of household food insecurity, particularly among families with lower incomes. Researchers surveyed 3,377 caregivers of school-aged children from eight states—four with universal school meal policies including…

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Qualitative study shows reusable serviceware in school cafeterias were widely accepted across the school community

July 14, 2025

By Danielle Lee, KC Fiedler, Celeste Felix

A new qualitative study in the Journal of Child Nutrition & Management found that reusable serviceware—like trays, cutlery, and bulk condiment dispensers—were widely accepted in a California school district pilot program. Students successfully advocated for reducing single-use items, prompting…