Food Access & Food Insecurity

Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

NPI paper on association between food acquisition, diet, and body weight during COVID-19 nominated for Nutrients Best Paper Award

March 21, 2025
By Reka Vasicsek, Summer J Cortez, Gail M Woodward-Lopez
A new Nutrition Policy Institute research brief summarizes findings from a 2023 study—currently a candidate for Nutrients' Best Paper of 2023—titled “Associations between Changes in Food Acquisition Behaviors, Dietary Intake, and Body Weight during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Low-Income Parents in California…
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Nutrition Policy Institute News: Article

New NPI research brief highlights importance of store participation in SNAP and WIC for healthy food retail environment

March 20, 2025
By Reka Vasicsek, Summer J Cortez, Richard Pulvera, Wendi Gosliner
A new research brief from the Nutrition Policy Institute highlights the role of federal and state programs in promoting healthy and equitable food retail environments. The study, “Availability and Quality of Healthy Foods Vary by Store Participation in SNAP and WIC in Low-Income California Neighborhoods,”…
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Nutrition Policy Institute: Article

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

March 3, 2025
By Monica D Zuercher, Lorrene D Ritchie, Wendi Gosliner
Research Brief • March 2025 • Download PDF (202 KB)BackgroundIn March 2023, an online survey gathered insights from Colorado 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…
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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…
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Food Insecurity

Nutrition Policy Institute's (NPI) research on the charitable food system has focused on the nutrition quality of charitable foods acquired and distributed by food banks. We have studied the culture, policies, and practices of food banks, and the trends in the nutrition quality of food bank inventory in…
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CalFresh Healthy Living Evaluation

The University of California’s Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI) works in partnership with the California Department of Public Health and local health departments to evaluate CDPH’s portion of the CalFresh Healthy Living program.
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Children in cafeteria eating school meals. Photo credit: USDA.
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School Meals for All

California is among the first in the nation to adopt a universal school meals program, or school meals for all, offering breakfast and lunch to all TK-12 students at public and charter schools every instructional day, at no charge, regardless of household income. The University of California's Nutrition…
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Best of Science Letters

The Nutrition Policy Institute's mission is to conduct and translate policy-relevant research to transform environments for healthy children, families and communities. While federal agencies must solicit input via public comment periods, Best of Science Letters may be used to translate the evidence base to…
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Our Impact

NPI's research provides influential evidence that shapes federal, state and local nutrition programs. Since 2014, NPI has contributed to several program and policy wins! Read about our impact!
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