Nutrition Policy Institute

Molly Shea joined the Nutrition Policy Institute at the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources on May 8, 2025 as a project policy analyst. She began her work at NPI in October 2024 as a survey worker supporting various projects. Prior to her work with NPI, Molly worked in program…

Table of ContentsThe Problem With DisposablesThe Reusable SolutionThe JourneyAbout Fremont Unified School DistrictHarnessing the Power of StudentsRecognizing the Right TimeCreating PartnershipsBuilding District SupportKicking Off the ProgramSuccesses and ChallengesLessons LearnedContact InformationThe…

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 new study on safety net programs explores the characteristics associated with take-up, that is, participation among those eligible, across programs including Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children,…

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…

Nutrition Policy Institute’s Danielle Lee will present with University of California, Berkeley’s Jessica Rangel and Pepperdine University’s Rebeca Oropeza at the 2025 National WIC Association’s Education and Training Conference. The conference will reflect on past successes and discuss policy…

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…

Nutrition Policy Institute joined the Bluesky social media platform in March 2025. We look forward to expanding our reach, and will continue sharing our research and policy briefs, upcoming events, and news on nutrition and public health on both Bluesky and our LinkedIn accounts. Follow us on…

 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,”…