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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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

Nutrition Policy Institute’s initial response to the new 2025-30 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

January 8, 2026

By Hannah R Thompson, Wendi Gosliner, Miranda W Brown, Christina E Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Danielle Lee

On January 7, 2026, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs). The newly released Guidelines deviate from prior DGAs in both process and content. What happenedU.S. law requires that the DGAs be revised…

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New Journal of Nutrition review examines how nutrition ecology shapes child and adolescent development

January 8, 2026

By Danielle Lee, Lorrene D Ritchie

A new review published in the Journal of Nutrition highlights how children’s and adolescents’ nutrition—and its impact on health, learning, and development—is shaped by a complex nutrition ecology that extends beyond individual dietary intake. The paper is part of the Biomarkers of Nutrition for…

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Policy brief highlights how longer WIC participation is linked to healthier diets for young children

January 7, 2026

By Danielle Lee, Lorrene D Ritchie

A new policy brief highlights a study showing how longer participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, is associated with higher diet quality among children ages 2 to 5. Using a national sample, the study showed that children who stayed enrolled in…

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Pilot study suggests text messages to SNAP shoppers may improve awareness of farmers’ markets

December 16, 2025

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

The California Nutrition Incentive Program, or CNIP, matches Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—or SNAP and also known as CalFresh in California—dollars spent on fruits and vegetables at certified farmers’ markets and other retail locations. This program is known in many places as Market Match…

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New study highlights effective messaging strategies to motivate parents to encourage children's participation in universal free school meals

December 16, 2025

By Brianna Aguayo Villalon, Christina E Hecht, Danielle Lee

The National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program provide essential nutritional and academic benefits to millions of children. High participation in these programs will help universal free school meals in several states to be successful. A recent study published in the Journal of the…

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