Nutrition Policy Institute News

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The latest news and updates from the Nutrition Policy Institute at the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Sign up to receive Research to Action, the Nutrition Policy Institute's quarterly news brief providing information on research, policy, news, announcements, events, articles and action items focused on nutrition and healthy communities.

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NPI News Archive: 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015

Article

Colorado schools experienced decreased student meal participation and increased unpaid meal debt when universal school meal program ended

June 9, 2025

By Brianna Aguayo Villalon, Danielle Lee, Lorrene D Ritchie, Monica D Zuercher, Wendi Gosliner

In March 2023, Nutrition Policy Institute researchers conducted an online survey to examine Colorado foodservice directors' experiences after federal waivers that allowed all schools to offer school meals free of charge to all students ended in the 2022-23 school year. Survey results highlight how Colorado’s…

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Article

Ditching disposables: A school district’s journey to reducing waste in cafeterias

June 5, 2025

By Celeste Felix, Danielle Lee

Most schools in the U.S., including the Fremont Unified School District, or FUSD, serve lunch on disposable trays with a plastic spork kit containing a spork, straw, and paper napkin. These single-use items present two main issues. First, they may contain harmful PFAS chemicals, also known as per- and…

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Article

Lorrene Ritchie presents on WIC and school meals research at 2025 International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity conference in Auckland

June 4, 2025

By Danielle Lee

Nutrition Policy Institute director and cooperative extension specialist, Lorrene Ritchie, will be attending and presenting at the seventh annual International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity annual conference in Auckland, New Zealand, June 11-14, 2025. The theme of the conference is …

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Article

NPI Researcher Danielle Lee to present at 2025 Child and Adult Care Food Program National Professional Association Conference

June 3, 2025

By Jean Aquino, Danielle Lee

Nutrition Policy Institute’s Danielle Lee will present with CACFP Roundtable’s Elyse Homel Vitale and Samantha Kay-Daleiden Marshall at the 2025 Child and Adult Care Food Program National Professional Association Conference. The conference, hosted in Henderson, NV from June 10-12, will discuss research…

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Article

New study identifies perceived stigma related to free and reduced-price school meals and opinions on universal free school meals

May 29, 2025

By Jean Aquino, Danielle Lee, Wendi Gosliner, Lorrene D Ritchie

A new study explored parent perceptions of stigma and benefits associated with free and reduced-price school meals and universal free school meals. The United States Department of Agriculture’s school meals programs provide school-aged students with nutritious meals necessary for healthy development and…

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