Nutrition Policy Institute News Logo

Nutrition Policy Institute News

A mother and her young son pick out produce in the grocery store produce aisle. The Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included.

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.

Return to the Nutrition Policy Institute website.

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

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Participation in Child and Adult Care Food Program increases in California following federal COVID-19 reimbursement policy changes

February 25, 2026
The Child and Adult Care Program, or CACFP, is a federally funded program that subsidizes nutritious meals in child care settings. It has been shown to improve diet quality and reduce food insecurity among children in participating child care. However, CACFP participation among family child care home…
View Article
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…
View Article
Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

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…
View Article
Subscribe