Evaluation

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…

The Nutrition and Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network, or NOPREN, informs policies and practices designed to support the intake of healthy, nutritious foods so that everyone has a fair chance at health. It is a collaborative network of policy researchers and evaluators, practitioners, people…

The Nutrition Policy Institute is pleased to share the 2025 CalFresh Healthy Living data briefs, highlighting the vital contributions of local health departments and their community partners to California’s nutrition and physical activity promotion efforts during federal fiscal year 2025. The California…

Research Brief • January 2026 • Download PDF (665 KB)TABLE OF CONTENTSFFY 2025 CalFresh Healthy Living At a GlancePolicy, Systems, & Environmental Change EffortsEducational ActivitiesPartnerships & Multi-Sector CoalitionsAssessment of Policies, Practices, & OutcomesFFY 2025 CalFresh…

Policy Brief • December 2024 • Download PDF (284 KB) “Ideally, we would like a reimbursement for all the meals that we serve, which is five. But if I have a secondary choice, I would want to be reimbursed four meals, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus either AM snack or PM snack.” – Family childcare…

Policy Brief • May 2022CACFP Delivers Healthy Food for PreschoolersIt is important to lay the foundation for healthy eating habits early in life.1 The federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides balanced and nutritious meals to nearly 800,000 California preschoolers daily.2Nutrition…

Policy Brief • June 9, 2021The StudyFrom June 2020 to March 2021, PHFE WIC and the Nutrition Policy Institute, part of the University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, engaged in a study to identify lessons learned from the experience in California with USDA’s Special…

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…