Research Briefs | Nutrition Policy Institute

Nutrition Policy Institute's research briefs are short, non-technical summaries of a study's key findings—designed to make complex research accessible to broader audiences like policymakers, practitioners, or the public—translating evidence into real-world application through plain language, bullet points, and clear takeaways, while citing the original studies.

Nutrition Policy Institute: Article

Evaluation of Universal School Meals in California

March 3, 2025

Research Brief • March 2025 • Download PDF (356 KB)BackgroundCalifornia’s landmark investment in free school meals for all K-12 students, beginning in school year 2022-23 following federal universal school meals (USM) during the pandemic, has enormous potential to improve nutrition for millions of…

View Article

Nutrition Policy Institute: Article

The State of School Meals for All in California

February 25, 2025

By Christina E Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Wendi Gosliner, Caitlin D French, Monica D Zuercher, Dania Orta-Aleman, Lorrene D Ritchie

Research Brief • February 2025 • Download PDF (222 KB)BackgroundHistorically, students whose household income was at or below 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL) were eligible for school meals at no charge and those between 130-185% FPL were offered a reduced-price meal. Students from families…

View Article

Nutrition Policy Institute: Article

The California Fruit and Vegetable EBT Pilot Project at Farmers’ Markets

February 1, 2025

By Sridharshi C Hewawitharana, Ron Strochlic, Samantha Sam-Chen, Wendi Gosliner

Evaluation Findings Research Brief • February 2025 • Download PDF (270 KB)BackgroundIn 2023, the California Department of Social Services initiated the California EBT Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Project (CF&V), testing a new approach for increasing access to fruits and vegetables (FV) among…

View Article

Nutrition Policy Institute: Article

Challenges Experienced by Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsors

November 24, 2024

By Danielle Lee, KC Fiedler, Kassandra A Bacon, Reka Vasicsek, Lorrene D Ritchie

Research Brief • November 2024 • Download PDF (171 KB)BackgroundThe federal Child and Adult Care Food Program, or CACFP, provides nutritious meals and snacks to over 4.7 million US children, predominantly from families with lower incomes, through reimbursements to their childcare providers.1 Family childcare…

View Article

Nutrition Policy Institute: Article

Arizona Food Service Director Survey Findings: Experiences transitioning from meals free of charge for all students

August 28, 2024

By Monica D Zuercher, Lorrene D Ritchie, Wendi Gosliner

Research Brief • August 2024 • Download PDF (153 KB)BackgroundIn March 2023, an online survey gathered insights from Arizona food service directors (FSDs) about their experiences implementing school meal programs during the 2022-23 school year (SY) after the federal waivers allowing school meals to be…

View Article

Nutrition Policy Institute: Article

Texas Food Service Director Survey Findings: Experiences transitioning from meals free of charge for all students

August 28, 2024

By Monica D Zuercher, Lorrene D Ritchie, Wendi Gosliner

Research Brief • August 2024 • Download PDF (224 KB)BackgroundIn March 2023, an online survey gathered insights from Texas foodservice directors (FSDs) about their experiences implementing school meals during the 2022-23 school year (SY) after the federal waivers allowing school meals to be served free…

View Article

An arrow saying 'This' points to a water bottle filling station at a school. A second arrow saying "not this" points to a school drinking fountain filled with wasted food.

Nutrition Policy Institute: Article

Effective Access to Drinking Water in Schools: What is it and why does it matter?

April 24, 2021

Research Brief • April 2021Effective Access means that safe and appealing drinking water is readily available at no charge to all children.1Children and adolescents spend many hours at school, making schools an important setting to support hydration and to promote healthy habits. Improved access and…

View Article