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Nutrition Policy Institute

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Research for healthy food, people and places

The Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI) envisions a world in which healthy food, beverages and opportunities for physical activity are accessible, affordable, equitable and sustainable for everyone. NPI's mission is to conduct and translate policy-relevant research to transform environments for healthy children, families and communities.

Nutrition Policy Institute News

Stay informed with the latest research, policy, and news from the Nutrition Policy Institute.  Please see additional news items on our Nutrition Policy Institute news blog.

A high school student grabs a prepared meal from the cafeteria.

What happens when free school meals end: student experiences from Texas and Arizona

May 5, 2026 - A new study from NPI researchers found that Texas and Arizona students experienced the return to income-based school meals as a shift marked by increased hunger and financial stress, reduced meal participation, stigma and social hierarchies in cafeterias, meal denial and debt, and a strong desire to restore universal free school meals. 

 

A screenshot of a CalFresh Healthy Living data brief showing the impact of the program on health outcomes in a local community.

Data Storytelling Toolkit supports local health departments to engage community stakeholders with data-backed information

April 29, 2026 - A research-based best practice for gaining community partner buy-in for health promotion initiatives is to communicate “wins” with partners to help them see the community impact. To support local health departments, NPI evaluators developed a Data Storytelling Toolkit to help them communicate the impact of CalFresh Healthy Living programming in their communities.

 

Elementary school students play outside on the school blacktop with their PE teacher during a cloudy day.

New study examines the role of structured play in reducing chronic absenteeism in California elementary schools

April 22, 2026 - A recent study assessed whether student participation in Playworks recess programs was associated with lower chronic absenteeism in low-income California elementary schools. Schools with Playworks had slightly lower chronic absenteeism than schools without.

 

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Office Locations

Nutrition Policy Institute

University of California Office of the President
1111 Franklin St.
Oakland, CA 94607
United States

Mission Statement

The Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI) conducts research for healthy food, people and places. NPI envisions a world in which healthy food, beverages and opportunities for physical activity are accessible, affordable, equitable and sustainable for everyone. NPI's mission is to conduct and translate policy-relevant research to transform environments for healthy children, families and communities.