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 study on universal school meals highlighted as featured paper in Nutrients journal hot topics on nutritional inequality and public policy research

February 17, 2026

Universal school meal programs in all U.S. states were funded by the federal government during school years 2020-2022 to abate heightened rates of food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. California was the first state in the nation to continue funding universal school meals, and Nutrition Policy…

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Longer lunch time periods help students eat more but study finds evidence of inequities in lunch period length by free or reduced price meal eligibility

February 11, 2026

School meals provide a significant portion of children’s daily nutrition, and policies like the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, Community Eligibility Provision, and Healthy School Meals for All have improved access to healthier meals. However, variations in lunch period lengths and seated time may affect meal…

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Wednesday 2/11 webinar to highlight updates on nutrition policies and guidelines

February 9, 2026

Nutrition Policy Institute's senior advisor and researcher Wendi Gosliner will co-present with University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources and UC CalFresh Healthy Living colleagues in an upcoming webinar that is part of the California NIH Community Engagement Alliance webinar series…

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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

NPI studies featured in Nutrition and Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network special collection

February 9, 2026

The Nutrition and Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network, or NOPREN, informs policies and practices designed to support the intake of healthy, nutritious foods so that everyone has a fair chance at health. It is a collaborative network of policy researchers and evaluators, practitioners, people…

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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Three-in-four U.S. Women of reproductive age report insufficient physical activity

February 5, 2026

A new study reports that an astounding 75% of U.S. women of reproductive age do not meet activity guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Researchers analyzed the most recent data from the National Health Interview Survey, following nearly 11,000 female respondents aged 18 to…

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