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

Article

Recent study shows WIC participation supports improved diet quality and reduced food insecurity through childhood

July 9, 2025

By Brianna Aguayo Villalon, Danielle Lee, Lorrene D Ritchie

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly known as WIC, supports the health of low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children by providing access to nutritious foods, nutrition education, and health referrals through state and local agencies…

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Article

NPI is seeking a graduate student Sustainable Agriculture and Food Fellow

July 2, 2025

By Danielle Lee, Julia Nguyen, Kassandra A Bacon, Ron Strochlic

The Nutrition Policy Institute is seeking a University of California graduate student to join our efforts to improve food and nutrition security among currently and formerly incarcerated individuals in California. This fellowship opportunity is part of the 2025-2026 University of California Bonnie Reiss…

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Article

Colorado schools experienced decreased student meal participation and increased unpaid meal debt when universal school meal program ended

June 9, 2025

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

In March 2023, Nutrition Policy Institute researchers conducted an online survey to examine Colorado foodservice directors' experiences after federal waivers that allowed all schools to offer school meals free of charge to all students ended in the 2022-23 school year. Survey results highlight how Colorado’s…

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Article

Ditching disposables: A school district’s journey to reducing waste in cafeterias

June 5, 2025

By Celeste Felix, Danielle Lee

Most schools in the U.S., including the Fremont Unified School District, or FUSD, serve lunch on disposable trays with a plastic spork kit containing a spork, straw, and paper napkin. These single-use items present two main issues. First, they may contain harmful PFAS chemicals, also known as per- and…

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Article

Lorrene Ritchie presents on WIC and school meals research at 2025 International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity conference in Auckland

June 4, 2025

By Danielle Lee

Nutrition Policy Institute director and cooperative extension specialist, Lorrene Ritchie, will be attending and presenting at the seventh annual International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity annual conference in Auckland, New Zealand, June 11-14, 2025. The theme of the conference is …

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