Nutrition & Health

Grocery bags of food sit atop a table outside.
Nutrition Policy Institute: Article

November 2025 SNAP Benefit Disruption: Findings from a Rapid-Response Observational Study of Charitable Food Programs in California

December 11, 2025
By Wendi Gosliner, Caitlin D French, Danielle Lee, Samantha Sam-Chen, Ron Strochlic, Miranda W Brown, Monica D Zuercher, Karina Diaz Rios, Alexa Erickson, Amira R Resnick, Molly Shea, Lorrene D Ritchie, Reka Vasicsek, Hannah R Thompson
Report • December 2025 • Download PDF (1.2 MB)Background During a U.S. government shutdown in October-November of 2025, the federal government failed to fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on time for the first time in the program’s history. As a result, more than 40 million…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

New policy brief explores safety net program participation, diet quality, and weight among disadvantaged children

December 11, 2025
By Brianna Aguayo Villalon, Danielle Lee, Lorrene D Ritchie
A new policy brief highlighting a recent study shows how federal safety net programs such as Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and especially the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also known as WIC, play a critical role in improving diet…
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Nutrition Policy Institute: Collection

Research Briefs

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,…
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A harvest of crisp, bright green lettuce is satisfying anytime of the year
UC Marin Master Gardeners: Article

Growing Lettuce Year-Round

December 3, 2025
Lettuce is generally considered to be a cool-season annual, but with a little advanced planning and some judicious plant selection, Marin gardeners can enjoy home-grown lettuce throughout the year. Our temperate climate makes it possible to modify the growing conditions for lettuce and enable the plants to…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

New case study outlines a five-step process for engaging pediatricians on submitting public comments to shape child health and nutrition policy

December 3, 2025
By Brianna Aguayo Villalon, Christina E Hecht, Danielle Lee
Pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists—medical practitioners who provide comprehensive care for children, including those with specific medical conditions or developmental needs—are uniquely positioned to advocate for children’s health by contributing their clinical expertise to inform public policy. The…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Family childcare home providers recommend higher reimbursements from the Child and Adult Care Food Program to support healthier foods for young children

December 1, 2025
By Danielle Lee, Kassandra A Bacon, Lorrene D Ritchie
The Child and Adult Care Food Program, or CACFP, is the largest federal nutrition program for childcare, providing nutritious foods and beverages to over 4.5 million children nationally. Nutrition Policy Institute researchers interviewed family childcare home provider CACFP participants, their sponsors and…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Study highlights barriers to accessing poverty alleviation benefits through the Earned Income Tax Credit

November 25, 2025
By Danielle Lee, Wendi Gosliner
The Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, is the largest U.S. poverty alleviation program for families with children—providing over $60 billion annually in tax refunds to over 25 million families. This tax refund can improve low-income families' health by increasing resources for food and housing, however, over…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

New publication shows how Fermi estimates can help fill data gaps in needs assessments

November 24, 2025
By Summer J Cortez, Carolyn D Rider, Miranda W Brown
Nutrition Policy Institute's latest peer-reviewed publication, "Using Fermi Estimates within Needs Assessments: An Extension Professional’s Guide,”  authored by Emma Lonstrup, Carolyn Rider, and Miranda Westfall Brown was published in the Journal of Extension. The publication explores a common challenge…
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