Nutrition Policy Institute

@npi.ucanr.edu

149 Followers 201 Following

The @ucanr.bsky.social Nutrition Policy Institute (NPI) envisions a world where healthy foods, beverages & physical activity are convenient, accessible, affordable & sustainable for all. NPI conducts and translates policy-relevant research.

Image in the center of four adolescents performing a school-based physical fitness test indoors. Text on the top reads: “New commentary calls for strengthening school-based physical fitness testing to support youth health.” Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture & Natural Resources logo on the bottom.
Image on the left of a WIC shopper handing a WIC EBT card to a farmer at the Santee Certified Farmers Market. Photo credit: USDA. White text on a green background to the right reading, “New longitudinal study shows how multi-safety net program participation is linked to better health outcomes among low-income families.” Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources logo on the bottom right.
A screenshot of the title and author list of the peer-reviewed journal article, Impact of Deimplementing Universal Free School Meals: School Food Authority Perspectives, is shown with fireworks surrounding it. White text over a blue background reads: "Congratulations to our team and collaborators! Their publication was voted as a Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Best Article finalist!" The Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included.
2 Facebook messages shown to parents in the school meal promotion group for the study. Text on the right reads, “Evaluation of Universal School Meals social media campaigns reveals mixed parent responses.” Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources logo on the bottom.
White text over a blue background reads: "Nutrition Policy Institute released three research briefs that capture how the elimination of SNAP-Ed funding as a result of H.R.1 is impacting local health departments and community organizations as well their vision for the future of nutrition and physical activity programming." Screenshots of the first page of three research briefs are shown. The Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included.
Blue text over a yellow background reads: "New research brief examines how local health departments worked to sustain nutrition and physical activity programming following the elimination of SNAP-Ed funding." A screenshot of the first page of a Nutrition Policy Institute research brief and the Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included.
A photo of Davrina Rianda with a yellow box overlaying with blue text that reads: “We are excited to welcome Davrina Rianda, PhD, MD, MNutr as our new post-doctoral researcher and Assistant Project Scientist!” The Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included in white over a blue background.
Image of a grandma, dad, and young child preparing a meal together in a home setting. Credit: USDA. Text on the right reading: “New study suggests that having fruits and vegetables and limiting sugar-sweetened beverages in children’s homes can lead to improved child diet quality!” Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources logo on the bottom left.
Image on the left of a young girl drinking milk out of a bottle while being held by her father. Photo by Sasha Kim. On the right text reading, “New study examines infant intake of infant formula with added corn syrup and later childhood diet quality.” Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources logo at the bottom right corner.
Ron Strochlic holds a yellow pear in his hand while smiling. Blue text overlaying a yellow box reads: “Congratulations to Ron Strochlic on his retirement!”. The Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included.
Blue text over a yellow background that reads: "Tell Gov. Newsom: Invest in California Science. Invest in UC. Yes on SB 895, research bond to protect critical funding for science." The UCAN Advocacy Network logo is included.
A young girl drinks milk from a glass with a pink straw. The Nutrition Policy Institute and Stanford Medicine logos are included. The text reads: "MILK-TOT Study is now enrolling! The University of California and Stanford Medicine are inviting toddlers ages 2-3 and their parents to join a research study on milk in young children. The purpose of this study is to see how the type of milk (whole fat vs. low fat 1%) consumed between the aged of 2-3 years old affects the health, growth, and development of young children. Study investigator: Lorrene Ritchie PhD, RD, Nutrition Policy Institute, Nutrition Specialist - Emeritus, UCANR Cooperative Extension. Call, Text, Scan: 415-509-3530." Lorrene Ritchie's photo is included. A QR code linking to the study webpage is also included.
Teenage student selects an apple juice from an open refrigerator unit containing white milk, juice, and green apples. Image also contains the text: “Designing a study that evaluates efforts to improve K12 school nutrition or physical activity practices? New research brief highlights a practical & valid self-assessment instrument that can detect changes in school environments over time."
A donut chart showing 79% of surveyed parents said universal school meals save them money. A group of school children sit in a cafeteria eating their school lunch off reusable trays. The Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included.
A college student sits outside, the wind blows in her hair. White text over a blue background reads: "Your donation to the NPI Student Research Experience supports the next generation of public health policy leaders." The UC ANR Giving Day and Nutrition Policy Institute logos are included in white over a blue background.
A quote from a former NPI Student Research Experience recipient sharing how the opportunity impacted her professional career in health policy. The UC ANR Giving Day and Nutrition Policy Institute logos are included in white over a blue background.
Hannah Thompson’s headshot is displayed next to blue text in a yellow box that reads: “Congratulations to NPI director Hannah Thompson for being selected as a 2026 UCDC Presidential Faculty Fellow!” The Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included.
A student sits outside looking at laptop she holds in her lap. White text over a blue background reads: "NPI’s Student Research Experience supports researchers who have lived experience with food insecurity or public health nutrition programs." The UC ANR Giving Day and Nutrition Policy Institute logos are included in white over a blue background.
Image of a young boy performing a fitness test with the instructor. Text on the right side reading: “New study finds gaps in state infrastructure for school fitness testing.” Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources logo on the bottom right.
The text reads: “Transitioning to reusable serviceware in school meals reveals significant waste reduction!” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is also included.
Quote from Texas student interviewed stating, “Now [that school meals are no longer free for all], some people just stay hungry for the rest of the day. They can't concentrate in class because they’re hungry.” At the bottom is the Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources logo.
Text stating: “New study examines the role of structured play in reducing chronic absenteeism in California elementary schools.” Image below of students doing a fitness test outdoors. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources logo below.
A father holds his young daughter in his arms while shopping for orange bell peppers at the farmers market. The white text over a blue background reads: “NPI comments on the critical importance of USDA’s national food security data.” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is included.
Four children are pictured smiling, eating a variety of fruits while sitting at a table. The text reads: “A new questionnaire could transform how childcare settings assess health practices.”. The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is also included.
White text over a blue background reads: “How do we turn climate–food–health science into real-world impact? A new open-access paper offers a practical roadmap for translating complex evidence into policy & practice.” A screenshot of a publication in the journal Advances in Nutrition is included. The title of the publication is “Translating Science to Improve Health—a Report from the “Agriculture and Diet: Value Added for Nutrition, Translation, and Adaptation in a Global Ecology” (ADVANTAGE) Project Working Group 5.” The Nutrition Policy Institute Logo is included.
Four children are warming up and stretching with their arms raised before exercise. The text reads: “Data shows improving student fitness in NYC public schools, but inequalities persist”. The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is also included.
Graphic with first page of the research brief on the left. Nutrition Policy Institute logo at the bottom. Right text reading: "New research brief explores how the California Nutrition Incentive Program supports increased fruit and vegetable purchases without increasing food waste!"
Four students sitting at a school cafeteria eating lunch. Credit: USDA.
White text over a blue background that reads: “New interactive map spotlights where Child and Adult Care Food Program expansion could make the greatest impact for California families!” There is a screenshot of a storymap that shows the state of California with several hot-spots over census-tracts indicating higher and lower rates of food insecurity. The Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included.
The Water is K’é logo is pictured. The text reads: “Water is K’é: Culturally-centered Intervention Leads to Healthier Hydration Habits”. The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is also included at the bottom.
Screenshot of a study’s abstract on the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior website. The title of the study is, “Trends in California Child and Adult Care Food Program Participation Among Family Child Care Home Providers: The Role of Tiered Meal Reimbursements.”
An infographic reads “CONNECT & EXPLORE Supporting Recess in Schools: Evidence, Health Impact and Action”. Below, the image shows dates and times listing “March 10, 2026, 12:00 PM PT, 1:00 PM MT, 2:00 PM CT, 3:00 PM ET.” The National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research Connect & Explore Webinar Series logo is placed in the top right corner.
A blue box with white text, the title reads, "Two studies on School Meals for All are gaining recognition in the journal Nutrients." There is a white arrow pointing to a screenshot of the title of a Nurients publicaiton, "The Benefits and Challenges of Providing School Meals during the First Year of California’s Universal School Meal Policy as Reported by School Foodservice Professionals," with text next to it that reads "This highly-cited study was featured in Nutrient's Hot Topics on Nutritional Inequality & Policy Research!. There is a second white arrow pointing at a screenshot of the title of a second Nutrients publications, "Household Food Insecurity Is Associated with Parental Perceptions of and Student Participation in School Meals," with text next to it that reads, "This study is a Nutrients Best Paper Award candidate!"
Graphic stating, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends students have at least 20-minutes of seated time to eat meals. A recent multi-state study found that students with <15 minutes to eat lunch wasted more food and ate less milk, fruit, and whole grains compared with those with ≥25 minutes. It also showed varying adherence CDC's seated time recommendations based on school lunch period length: 20-minute lunch periods had 16% adherence 25-minute lunch periods had 55% adherence 30-minute lunch periods had 89% adherence.” Nutrition Policy logo at the bottom.
A screenshot of the cover of the 2024-2025 NOPREN Special Collection, which includes an image of a young boy eating a sandwich while sitting at a table with other children. The text reads: "Seven collaborative NPI publications on CACFP, WIC, school meals for all, healthy beverages & drinking water access are featured in the 2024-2025 NOPREN Special Collection!" The Nutrition Policy Institute logo is included.
A young woman ties her right sneaker laces, on a bench placed alongside a track field. There are a pair of blue weights, and a pink water bottle placed on the bench. The text reads: “Only 1-in-4 women of reproductive age meet physical activity guidelines, according to a study published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report”. The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is also included.
A young girl drinks milk from a glass with a pink straw. The Nutrition Policy Institute and Stanford Medicine logos are included. The text reads: "MILK-TOT Study is now enrolling! The University of California and Stanford Medicine are inviting toddlers ages 2-3 and their parents to join a research study on milk in young children. The purpose of this study is to see how the type of milk (whole fat vs. low fat 1%) consumed between the aged of 2-3 years old affects the health, growth, and development of young children. Study investigator: Lorrene Ritchie PhD, RD, Nutrition Policy Institute, Nutrition Specialist - Emeritus, UCANR Cooperative Extension. Call, Text, Scan: 415-509-3530." Lorrene Ritchie's photo is included. A QR code linking to the study webpage is also included.
Screenshot of title, authors, and study highlights from the Journal of Psychiatric Research website.
Bags of food and boxes of citrus are stored outside on a table underneath a pop-up tent in a parking lot at a charitable food site. The white text overlaying a blue box reads: “When November 2025 CalFresh benefits were delayed during the federal government shutdown—the first disruption in SNAP history—charitable food sites saw bigger crowds, long lines, and stressed families. Our latest report shows how sites adapted with compassion and resourcefulness. The crisis underscored how essential stable federal nutrition benefits are.” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is included.
Text reads “See what local health departments achieved: 2025 CalFresh Healthy Living Data Briefs.” Two participant quotes are highlighted. “Now I make infused waters for my family and me. I feel so much better, and my blood sugar levels are finally under control,” (Adult nutrition class participant). “We love these lessons. Can you please come every week?” (Child nutrition class participant). A screenshot of the first page of a data brief is also included.
Two female teenagers sit at a table in a school cafeteria eating lunch. The white text in a blue box reads: “Universal School Meals may reduce stigma—but not for all students. A new study in the Journal of School Health of 1,066 students in 8 U.S. states—4 with Universal Meal policies and 4 without—found: ~1 in 9 students felt embarrassed to eat school lunch; students reporting embarrassment participated in school meals 11% less often—especially those eligible for free/reduced-price meals, who participated 20% less often; students from lower-income households in states with Universal Meal policies reported less embarrassment than those in states without such policies; and students from higher-income households in states with Universal Meal policies reported more embarrassment, showing stigma is more complex than access alone.” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is included.
A toddler drinks milk out of a glass through a straw. The text reads: “Glass of milk emoji. Should toddlers switch to low-fat or fat-free milk at age two years? A new study of 2,300+ toddlers followed through age three found lower saturated fat intake—but no difference in weight outcomes—among kids following 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans milk fat recommendations. More research on long-term health impacts is needed.” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is included.
A school-aged girl wearing a backpack drinks water from a reusable bottle. The text reads: “Randomized control trial study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows drinking water promotion can prevent overweight and reduce sugar-sweetened beverage intake in schoolchildren.” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is included.
An inverted pyramid displaying protein, dairy, and healthy fats, vegetables and fruits, and whole grains. Above the pyramid the text reads: “The New Pyramid.” White text overlaying a blue box next to the pyramid reads: “Nutrition Policy Institute’s Initial Response to the New 2025-30 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. On January 7, 2026, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs). The newly released Guidelines deviate from prior DGAs in both process and content.” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is included.
A young girl picks out items from a grocery store shelf while shopping with her mother. The text reads: “Nutrition is more than what’s on the plate. A new review in The Journal of Nutrition reveals how child and adolescent health, learning, and development are shaped by a complex nutrition ecology—from climate, geopolitical, and food systems to community food options, health, social, and food services and school policies and programs.” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is included.
A young girl places a watermelon in a small orange shopping cart while shopping for produce at the grocery store. The text reads: “New policy brief! WIC serves more than 6.7 million low-income people in the U.S. each year. Longer participation in WIC contributes to higher diet quality among infants and young children. By aligning WIC food packages with the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, policymakers can maximize the availability of healthy foods for disadvantaged children.” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California logo is included.
A line chart showing trends in the prevalence of food insecurity in U.S. households with children, 2001-24. The trends food insecurity in households with children has increased since 2020 to the over 18.4% of households in 2024.
A young girl drinks milk from a glass with a pink straw. The Nutrition Policy Institute and Stanford Medicine logos are included. The text reads: "MILK-TOT Study is now enrolling! The University of California and Stanford Medicine are inviting toddlers ages 2-3 and their parents to join a research study on milk in young children. The purpose of this study is to see how the type of milk (whole fat vs. low fat 1%) consumed between the aged of 2-3 years old affects the health, growth, and development of young children. Study investigator: Lorrene Ritchie PhD, RD, Nutrition Policy Institute, Nutrition Specialist - Emeritus, UCANR Cooperative Extension. Call, Text, Scan: 415-509-3530." Lorrene Ritchie's photo is included. A QR code linking to the study webpage is also included.
The cover of a Nutrition Policy Institute report: “California Nutrition Incentive Program Text Message (SMS) Pilot Shopper Evaluation.” Blue text reads: “Pilot study suggests text messages to SNAP shoppers may improve awareness of farmers’ markets.” The Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources logo is included.
Screenshot of abstract, title, and author information of publication on Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
Graphic reading, "NEW POLICY BRIEF! Safety Net Programs Associated With Improved Diet and Weight Among Disadvantaged Children Key Facts: - Federal assistance programs like WIC and SNAP are designed to alleviate the impact of socioeconomic disparities in nutrition during childhood, which can contribute to poor diet quality and weight status. - The strongest predictors of diet quality were program duration (especially WIC) and race and ethnicity. - Encouraging longer participation in federal nutrition assistance programs, especially for Black and English-speaking Hispanic households, will likely help to improve diet quality and weight status among children with lower socioeconomic status. NPI logo at the bottom right corner.
Screenshot of study title, authors, and introduction on The Journal of Pediatrics website
A hispanic female college students sits outside, smiling, with the wind blowing in her hair. The Nutrition Policy Institute logo and a QR code directing people to the NPI donation page is included. The text reads: "Giving Tuesday. Thank you! Together We Give. THANK YOU for donating to the NPI Student Research Experience. December 2, 2025 - Midnight to Midnight."
Two female college students sit at a desk and look at their laptops while one student is speaking to the other. The Nutrition Policy Institute logo and a QR code directing people to the NPI donation page is included. The text reads: "Giving Tuesday. Together We Give. Donate to the NPI Student Research Experience. December 2, 2025 - Midnight to Midnight."
White text over a blue background that reads: “Child and Adult Care Food Program participants recommend higher reimbursements and elimination of tiers to support early childhood nutrition—learn more in our latest study!” The abstract of the Public Health Nutrition journal article, “Provider, sponsor and family perceptions of Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) participation and COVID-19 reimbursement increases,” and the Nutrition Policy Institute logo are included.
Abstract for the Healthy Affairs Scholar article, ““It's confusing as hell”: a qualitative study of barriers accessing poverty alleviation benefits through the US Earned Income Tax Credit.”
Image of a group of grocery store aisle. Text overlay reads: New NPI publication offers step-by-step guidance to overcome data gaps in needs assessments by using Fermi estimates.
A female African American college student sits outside with her laptop and looks down at a piece of paper. The Nutrition Policy Institute logo and a QR code directing people to the NPI donation page is included. The text reads: "Giving Tuesday. Together We Give. Donate to the NPI Student Research Experience. December 2, 2025 - Midnight to Midnight."