The Nutrition Policy Institute's CalFresh Healthy Living Evaluation team, in collaboration with the California Department of Public Health, is thrilled to announce recognition of 129 schools, 79 early care and education programs, and 77 out-of-school time programs across California as recipients of the 2024 Leaders in Eating and Activity Practices, or LEAP, Awards. LEAP Awards recognize schools, early care and education programs, and out-of-school time programs that demonstrate achievement of best practices that support healthy eating and active living, as reported on a Site-Level Assessment Questionnaire. Awardees partner with their local health department's CalFresh Healthy Living program to plan and implement health promotion projects. We applaud these sites, and their Local Health Department partners, for their dedication to supporting the health and well-being of the children and youth they serve! For more information about LEAP Awards, visit the LEAP award web page or email EvaluateSNAPEd@ucanr.edu.
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2024 LEAP Awards recognize excellence in healthy eating and active living across California
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New research brief provides evidence for additional CACFP meal reimbursements for childcare providers
A new policy brief provides evidence supporting the need for an increase in the number of reimbursable meals and snacks under the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program, also known as CACFP, from three to four per child daily. CACFP provides nutritious meals to nearly 625,000 children attending family childcare homes nationwide, primarily from lower-income families. However, it currently reimburses providers for a daily maximum of only two meals and one snack per child. Research by the Nutrition Policy Institute, CACFP Roundtable, and UC Berkeley involved surveys collected from over 250 California family childcare providers in 2024. Findings revealed that providers typically serve at least four meals/snacks daily but struggle financially due to limited reimbursements. Two-thirds of providers expressed a desire for reimbursements to cover four or more meals/snacks, while one-third worried about children going hungry without CACFP meals, highlighting the program's critical role in ensuring child food security. The brief recommends increasing CACFP reimbursements to four meals/snacks to support child nutrition and food security. Interviews with providers, families, and sponsors further highlight the program's critical impact. Read the full brief for more insights. This work was supported by a grant from Healthy Eating Research, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the California Collaborative for Pandemic Recovery and Readiness Research Program which was funded by the California Department of Public Health.
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NPI awarded Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Healthy Eating Research program funding to pilot-test a peer navigator intervention for the Child and Adult Care Food Program
Nutrition Policy Institute researchers were awarded funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Healthy Eating Research program's 2024 call for proposals. NPI's Lorrene Ritchie, in collaboration with the CACFP Roundtable and Susana Matias at the University of California, Berkeley, received funding for a project titled, “Pilot-testing a peer navigator intervention for the Child and Adult Care Food Program to bridge a gap in nutrition supports in family childcare”. The Child and Adult Care Food Program, commonly known as CACFP, has the potential to improve food security, diet quality, and financial stability for low-income families, but participation among family child care homes in California is limited due to administrative burdens. The project aims to develop and pilot a peer navigator intervention, co-designed with CACFP stakeholders, to increase family child care home claiming and retention and bridge access disparities with newly enrolled providers. Only 7 grants were awarded this cycle.
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Nutrition Policy Institute launches new Spanish-language webpages to enhance accessibility for Spanish-speaking communities
The Nutrition Policy Institute has launched three new Spanish-language web pages, designed to better serve our Spanish-speaking research participants and increase accessibility to and inclusion of the greater Spanish-speaking community. These new pages provide essential information about NPIs mission, vision, and how our research has supported major policy milestones in California and nationally, and to share existing NPI Spanish-language resources. The web pages include:
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NPI in Spanish, NPI en Español, describes NPI, our mission and vision, and our work in conducting and evaluating research related to the impact of nutrition and physical activity on public health.
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Our Impact, Nuestro Impacto, describes how NPI's research provides influential evidence that shapes federal, state and local nutrition programs and highlights contributions to several programs and policy wins.
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Resources, Recursos, includes Spanish-language online trainings, news articles, infographics and policy briefs developed by NPI.
These pages reflect NPI's ongoing efforts to increase inclusivity, accessibility, and engagement with Spanish-speaking audiences. We invite you to explore the pages and share them with your networks.
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Join us today on Giving Tuesday to support the Nutrition Policy Institute Student Fellowship
Join us today on Giving Tuesday to support the Nutrition Policy Institute Student Fellowship. The fellowship provides invaluable professional experience to undergraduate and graduate students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation college students and those with lived experiences of food insecurity or public health nutrition programs. By supporting this fellowship, you're not only investing in the future of nutrition policy but also honoring the legacy of our founding co-director, Patricia Crawford. Since creating the fellowship in 2019, NPI has proudly funded ten fellows whose work helps shape, conduct, and translate policy-relevant research that enriches our California communities by transforming environments for healthy children and families. Your generosity is instrumental in helping us advance this important mission. Donate today!
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Research brief highlights challenges faced by Child and Adult Care Food Program sponsors
A new research brief from the Nutrition Policy Institute, CACFP Roundtable, and University of California, Berkeley highlights the difficulties faced by sponsors of the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program, commonly known as CACFP. CACFP provides nutritious meals to nearly 625,000 children attending participating family childcare homes nationally who are predominantly from families with lower income. Sponsoring organizations serve an integral role in supporting CACFP participation by family childcare homes, yet declining sponsor participation threatens equitable access to this program. Results from interviews with 15 sponsors in California in 2023-2024 identified key challenges. Sponsors reported CACFP administrative reimbursements are inadequate. Limited sponsor reimbursements also hinder hiring and retaining staff, making program oversight challenging. In addition, sponsors reported that monitoring visits, which resumed in-person post-pandemic, are costly, time-intensive, and raise staff safety concerns. This study underscores the need for increased sponsor funding and virtual monitoring options, to strengthen CACFP. Read the full brief for more insights.
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Recent study explores perceptions of Universal School Meals policy by parents across income levels
School meals in the U.S. support 30 million students daily, improving nutrition, academic outcomes, and food security, particularly for disadvantaged households. A recent study led by Juliana Cohen at Merrimack College and Harvard University, in collaboration with the Nutrition Policy Institute and other researchers, surveyed 403 Massachusetts parents of varying income levels during the 2022-2023 school year to understand their perception of a statewide universal free school meals policy. Results showed that 75% of parents, regardless of income, supported the policy and recognized its many benefits, including reduced stress, and saving time and money. Parents also expressed concerns that ending the policy would have negative impacts, including: 1) financial strain on households of all income levels; 2) less food security for families who were eligible for federally funded free or reduced-price meals as well as for students from families who were financially vulnerable even though they would not typically qualify for free or reduced-price meals; and 3) reduced school meal participation for the most financially vulnerable students. Researchers recommend considering expanding universal free school meal policies to additional states and at the national level, as such policies improve access to nutrition across all income groups and promote equity, especially in areas of higher living costs. This study was conducted by Christina Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Dania Orta-Aleman, Lorrene Ritchie, Monica Zuercher, and Wendi Gosliner with the Nutrition Policy Institute; Juliana Cohen with Merrimack College and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Leah Chapman with Merrimack College; Deborah Olarte with New York University; Leran Minc with Project Bread; Punam Ohri-Vachaspati with Arizona State University; Anisha Patel with Stanford University School of Medicine; and Michele Polacsek with the University of New England.
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New policy briefs highlight the need for expanded shopping options and smartphone app modifications to help WIC participants redeem food benefits
Nutrition Policy Institute, in collaboration with the National WIC Association and Pepperdine University, released two policy briefs encouraging modernization efforts for the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as WIC. The briefs recommend implementing expanded access to online purchasing options and farmers market purchases for WIC participants and improving WIC smartphone applications to better align their information with vendor systems to improve users' ability to identify and purchase WIC-approved items efficiently. These recommendations were encouraged to reduce the stigma and difficulties participants experience while shopping for WIC foods and to increase full benefit redemption. Evidence to support these recommendations came from a 2023 survey of over 38,000 WIC participants from 19 states, one Indian Tribal Organization, and one US territory and focus groups held in 2024 with 44 WIC participants in 16 states and one Indian Tribal Organization. This project was funded by the National WIC Association from a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
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New infographic highlights improved dietary intake and physical activity among adults participating in CalFresh Healthy Living
CalFresh Healthy Living aims to improve the health and wellbeing of Californians through interventions that promote healthy eating and active living. Interventions include evidence-based nutrition and physical activity education programs delivered to adults in community settings, like congregate meal sites and parks and recreation facilities. In federal fiscal year 2024, the Nutrition Policy Institute, in partnership with local health departments, evaluated series-based education programs. To measure program outcomes, participants self-reported their dietary and physical behaviors on a survey before and after the program. An infographic developed by the Nutrition Policy Institute describes these adult participants and summarizes changes in their behaviors. The infographic demonstrates a number of behavior changes, including:
- Vegetable intake increased by 0.5 cups per day
- Fruit intake increased by 0.5 cups per day
- Drinking soda 'often or everyday' decreased by 58%
- The number of participants meeting the recommendation of 2+ days of muscle strengthening activity/week increased by 47%
Learn more about NPI's work to evaluate CalFresh Healthy Living.
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New infographic highlights improved dietary intake and physical activity among students participating in CalFresh Healthy Living
CalFresh Healthy Living aims to improve students' health and wellbeing through interventions that promote healthy eating and physical activity. In 2023-24, 92 school and school-based after school sites partnered with the local health department in their county to implement and evaluate CalFresh Healthy Living Programming. To measure program outcomes, students reported their dietary intake and physical activity behaviors on a self-administered survey before and after the programming. An infographic developed by the Nutrition Policy Institute describes the sample of students who participated in the evaluation and summarizes changes in their nutrition and physical activity behaviors. The infographic demonstrates a number of behavior changes, including:
- Whole fruit consumption increased by 0.5 times per day
- Sugary drink consumption decreased by 0.5 times per day
- The number of students achieving 60min of daily physical activity increased by 16%
Learn more about NPI's work to evaluate the CalFresh Healthy Living program.
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NPI’s universal school meals research highlighted in Zócalo Public Square essay
In her Zócalo Public Square essay, Nutrition Policy Institute researcher Monica Zuercher explores the benefits of universal school meals, a policy that gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic. With federal support, schools provided free meals to all students during the 2020-2022 school years, reducing food insecurity and stigma while improving equity and efficiency. Zuercher highlights California's leadership as the first state to continue universal school meals in 2022-2023, after federal funding ended. NPI research shows that universal school meals reduce stigma, eliminate meal debt and the subsequent burden on food service staff tasked at debt collection, and alleviate financial burdens on families, particularly in high cost-of-living areas. Universal school meals have also been associated with better student diet quality, academic performance, and attendance, making them a crucial investment in children's health and well-being. As of 2024, eight states have adopted this policy permanently. The article was published November 18, 2024 on Zócalo Public Square. Visit the NPI website to learn more about our universal school meals research.
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Study finds universal school meals boost access and ease food insecurity
Household food insecurity remains a significant issue in the U.S., particularly among households with children, highlighting the crucial role of school meal programs in mitigating food insecurity and improving children's health and academic performance. Nutrition Policy Institute researchers explored how food security status is related to parental perceptions and student participation in school meals. The study surveyed 1,110 California parents with children in public or charter K-12 schools from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in California, a state that adopted a universal school meals policy starting in the 2022-23 school year. The study found that 38% of parents who were not income-eligible for federal free or reduced-price school meals reported experiencing household food insecurity. School breakfasts were accessed at a higher rate by families reporting food insecurity compared to those reporting food security. However, parents experiencing food insecurity had less favorable perceptions of school meals and perceived more stigma associated with eating school meals. Interestingly, parents from households of all income levels recognized school meals as beneficial in saving time and money. These findings highlight the importance of universal school meal policies in addressing food insecurity, especially among students who would be excluded from receiving school meals free of charge under the federal eligibility criteria. However, addressing concerns about stigma as well as meal quality and appeal may further ease food insecurity and improve child health. The study was published online in October 2024 in the Nutrients journal, co-authored by NPI researchers Monica Zuercher, Christina Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Dania Orta-Aleman Dania, Wendi Gosliner and Lorrene Ritchie; Juliana Cohen and Leah Chapman with Merrimack College and Harvard; Deborah Olarte with New York University; and Margaret Read with Partnership for a Healthier America. This research was funded by California General Fund SB 170.
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NPI presents on solid waste reduction achieved by schools transitioning to reusables in school meals at the Green California Schools and Higher Education Summit
Nutrition Policy Institute researcher, Celeste Felix, will present evaluation findings showing reductions in solid waste when a large, urban California school district transitioned from reheated pre-packaged school meals served with single-use disposables to freshly prepared meals served with reusable trays and cutlery. Felix will be joined by project collaborators Stephanie Willits from Fremont Unified School District and Benjamin Schleifer from the Center for Environmental Health. Their talk, “Reusables in the Cafeteria: A School District's Journey to Zero Waste,” will take place on November 13, 2024 from 10-11am at the Pasadena Conference Center as part of the Green California Schools & Higher Education Summit. The evaluation results are from a multi-year project funded by the US Department of Agriculture, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. The project aims to understand the impact of transitioning to freshly-prepared school meals on meal appeal, student participation, food and packaging waste, and school finances.
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Job opening: Cooperative Extension Specialist and Director Nutrition Policy Institute at the University of California
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Specialist to become the next Director of the Nutrition Policy Institute. The Director leads strategic food and nutrition policy research, cultivates partnerships, identifies and secures grant funding, and provides overall leadership and operational oversight of the Nutrition Policy Institute. This position is based in Oakland, CA, and is focused on work across the state as well as nationally. The beginning salary will be in the Cooperative Extension Specialist series, Associate Step 1 $109,000 to Full Title Specialist Step VI $184,500 and commensurate with applicable experience and professional qualifications. The Cooperative Extension position is a two- or three-year renewable term appointment and is eligible for indefinite status (no end) after three terms. Application packets must be received by December 31, 2024 to assure full consideration. More information on how to apply is available online. Questions? Contact Tatiana Avoce – email: tavoce@ucanr.edu. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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New study identifies SNAP shopper and farmers’ market staff perceptions of benefits and challenges of a pilot supplemental benefit model
A 2024 study identified Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, shopper and farmers' market staff perceptions of the California Fruit and Vegetable Electronic Benefit Transfer Pilot Project. This effort, spearheaded by the California Department of Social Services, tested a new model for the California Nutrition Incentive Program, or CNIP, California's longer-running supplemental benefit program that provides matching dollars to SNAP participants to purchase fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets. The Pilot Project differed from the traditional CNIP dollar-for-dollar incentive match model in several ways, including offering a $60 monthly supplemental benefit that could be redeemed in a single shopping trip, rather than weekly increments, and the ability to spend the supplemental benefit on any SNAP-eligible item at any retail location, rather than solely on fruits and vegetables at the farmers' market, as required by CNIP. Focus groups with 40 SNAP shoppers and 17 farmers' market staff indicated that shoppers appreciated the ability to earn the full monthly benefit during a single shopping trip and the option to spend it on any SNAP-eligible item at any retailer. Most shoppers reported spending the additional benefit at grocery stores rather than farmers' markets, validating staff concerns about SNAP shoppers not spending their supplemental benefit dollars at farmers' markets. Challenges included difficulties understanding the pilot program and longer lines at farmers' markets to access the benefits. The study, funded by the Ecology Center and the California Department of Social Services, was published October 2024 in the journal Nutrients by NPI co-authors Ron Strochlic, Sridharshi Hewawitharana and Wendi Gosliner and former NPI team member Carolyn Chelius.
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NPI researchers present at annual American Public Health Association conference
The American Public Health Association's 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota from October 27-29, 2024 to gather nearly 13,000 public health professionals to connect, learn, and inspire each other. This year's conference centers on "Rebuilding Trust in Public Health and Science," focusing on the challenges posed by political polarization, underfunding, and distrust in scientific research. Nutrition Policy Institute researchers will present recent findings on school recess and physical education and universal school meal policies. A list of the live oral presentations is found below.
- Not all fun and games: Disparities in school recess persist and must be addressed
- Authors: Hannah Thompson, Rebecca London
- Date: Monday, October 28, 11:00 - 11:15 a.m. CDT. Oral presentation by Hannah Thompson
- Statewide universal school meals policies are associated with greater household food security
- Authors: Dania Orta-Aleman, Monica Zuercher, Lorrene Ritchie, Juliana Cohen, Wendi Gosliner
- Date: Tuesday, October 29, 9:10 - 9:30 a.m. CDT. Oral presentation by Dania Orta-Aleman
- Impact of a multilevel, multicomponent intervention to improve elementary school physical education on student cardiorespiratory fitness
- Authors: Hannah Thompson, Kristine Madsen, Caroline Nguyen, Thomas McKenzie, Sally Picciotto
- Date: Wednesday, October 30, 8:30 - 8:45 a.m. CDT. Oral presentation by Hannah Thompson
- Not all fun and games: Disparities in school recess persist and must be addressed
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University of California research group releases new fact sheet on sugary drinks and tooth decay
University of California's Research Consortium on Beverages and Health released a new fact sheet to help educate community members and decision-makers on added-sugar consumption in sugary drinks as a leading cause of tooth decay. The fact sheet, ‘Sugary Drinks: A Double Whammy for Teeth', explains how the acids and sugars in sugary drinks contribute to tooth decay. The Consortium previously released five other fact sheets on sugary drinks. All the Consortium fact sheets translate the science into key points, provided in language that is short and easy to read. The Consortium—comprised of faculty working across the field of sugar science from all ten UC campuses and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources—is coordinated by the Nutrition Policy Institute under the leadership of Christina Hecht, Ken Hecht, and Pat Crawford. Please contact Ken Hecht for more information about the Consortium and Christina Hecht for additional resources for community education on healthy beverage choices.
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NPI submits comments to US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on drinking water, added sugars and saturated fat
The US Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture encourage public engagement in the development of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is currently reviewing the latest nutrition science to develop a report with its recommendations for HHS and USDA. The Nutrition Policy Institute at the University of California recently submitted two comments to the Committee: (1) advocating for drinking water consumption recommendations in the report and adding a water symbol to MyPlate, and (2) addressing possible modifications on recommendations to limit added sugars and saturated fat intake in the report. The Committee's scientific report will be published soon, followed by a public comment period to gather feedback. The report and public feedback will be used by HHS and USDA to inform the development of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Learn more about the process and how you can get involved.
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NPI’s collaborative research featured in Nutrients special journal issue on School Meals and Children’s Dietary Behaviour
Nutrition Policy Institute's collaborative research was featured in a Nutrients journal special issue, “School Meals and Children's Dietary Behaviour.” The special issue, coordinated by guest editor Pamela Koch from Teachers College Columbia University, highlights research reporting on novel and innovative ways for school meals to have a positive influence on children. Included is a 2023 article co-authored by NPI's Christina Hecht, Ken Hecht and collaborators, “Parent Perception of School Meals in the San Joaquin Valley during COVID-19: A Photovoice Project.” Two articles published in 2022 from NPI's School Meals for All research team are also featured, including “Implementation of Universal School Meals during COVID-19 and beyond: Challenges and Benefits for School Meals Programs in Maine” and “Providing School Meals to All Students Free of Charge during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: Challenges and Benefits Reported by School Foodservice Professionals in California,” co-authored by NPI's Christina Hecht, Ken Hecht, Monica Zuercher, Wendi Gosliner, Lorrene Ritchie and collaborators. The special issue and articles are available freely online. NPI's more recent school meals for all research findings are also available online.
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NPI researcher Kassandra Bacon to present at the 2024 Child and Adult Care Food Program conference
Nutrition Policy Institute's Kassandra Bacon will present with CACFP Roundtable's Samantha Kay-Daleiden Marshall at the 2024 Annual CACFP Conference at Universal Studios, CA. The conference focuses on the growth of the Child and Adult Care Food Program, commonly known as CACFP. On October 8, 2:30pm-3:30pm PT, a workshop, “Impacts of COVID-19 Changes to Meal and Snack Reimbursements on Family Child Care Home Providers, Children and Families” will highlight research by NPI's Kassandra Bacon, Danielle Lee, Celeste Felix, Lorrene Ritchie, UC Berkeley's Susana Matias, and CACFP Roundtable's Samantha Kay-Daleiden Marshall and Elyse Homel Vitale. Their research examines the effects of both higher CACFP reimbursement rates for family child care homes during COVID-19 and the return to lower rates post-COVID-19. They will share results from surveys and interviews with California-based providers and sponsors on the nutritional quality of meals and snacks served in child care homes, and food security for child care providers and families. The workshop will engage CACFP stakeholders to develop proposed policy solutions based on study findings.
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