Healthy Eating

Nutrition Policy Institute researchers will work with the National WIC Association and Pepperdine University to conduct a 2025 Multi-State Satisfaction Survey of participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC. Survey results will build upon prior surveys…

A recent Nutrition Policy Institute research brief examines key findings from the implementation and impact of California’s School Meals for All program, which provides free meals to all public school students regardless of family income. The program has increased meal participation, reduced…

School meals are an essential source of nutrition for many children in the U.S. Given the widespread use of processed foods in the American diet, the role of these foods in school meals has raised concerns. Although studies consistently find that school meals are a healthier source of nutrition for U.S…

 A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior revealed that students desire healthy and fresh school meals. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government provided waivers to schools to serve meals free of charge to all students (known as universal school meals or…

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,”…

A recent study provides insight on the beverage consumption of  U.S. children ages 12-60 months while in early care and education, or ECE, settings across multiple states from 2008-2020. A high quality diet, including beverages, early in life is important for building long-term healthy eating…

In addition to delivering nutrition lessons for the 113 preschoolers at eight Head Start sites across Calaveras County, the CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE team incorporates physical education activities, as well as useful newsletters and virtual meetings for family members.

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…