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Nutrition Policy Institute News

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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

Parents and staff are highly supportive of freshly prepared school meals but raise concerns about food waste

September 22, 2025
By Brianna Aguayo Villalon, Danielle Lee, KC Fiedler, Lorrene D Ritchie
A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior explored the perceptions of elementary school parents and staff in a large, urban California school district that recently introduced more freshly-prepared school lunches. Based on interviews and focus groups conducted from May…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Combining school environment changes with SNAP-Ed lessons improves student diets

September 11, 2025
By Summer J Cortez, Reka Vasicsek, Amanda M Linares, Miranda W Brown
The Nutrition Policy Institute is excited to share our latest peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of Community Health, “Dietary Effects of School-Based SNAP-Ed Education with and without Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Strategies.” This study examines how Supplemental Nutrition Assistance…
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New WIC study finds social support encourages program participation

September 10, 2025
By Jean Aquino, Danielle Lee, KC Fiedler, Lorrene D Ritchie
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC, provides nutritious food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals to pregnant and postpartum women and families with young children with low income. WIC participation improves…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Benefits of School Meals for All policies highlighted in California School Boards Association’s California Schools magazine

September 8, 2025
By Danielle Lee, Wendi Gosliner
Nutrition Policy Institute School Meals for All research was featured in a guest article in the summer issue of the California School Boards Association’s quarterly magazine, California Schools. The article highlights California’s School Meals for All policy, also known as universal school meals,…
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Study finds universal free school meal policies boost participation and reduce barriers across US schools

September 8, 2025
By Brianna Aguayo Villalon, Danielle Lee, Wendi Gosliner
A new study examining the impact of federal and state Universal Free School Meal policies highlights how expanding access to school meals can help address food insecurity, reduce barriers to meal participation such as stigma and paperwork, and improve children’s diet quality, health, and academic outcomes…
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