Nutrition Policy Institute

Congratulations to Reka Vasicsek (M.Sc., ANutr) from Nutrition Policy Institute UCANR for her contributions to the Friends of the Earth new report showing that plant-based school lunches have increased 60% in California over the past 5 years! Other important findings: 🏫 Half of California's largest school districts are serving plant-based options every day at lunch! 🥕 Last year, CA's 25 largest school districts featured over 100 plant-based items in one month, adding more than 40 new culturally diverse and plant-based options to their menus (many whole-plant based).  🍇 California schools reduced processed meat lunch options by 25%. To read this report, visit: https://lnkd.in/gzSsTXX2 #schoolmeals #plantbased #schoolnutrition #nutritionresearch

Access to nutritious foods is essential to people’s health and well-being. But racial injustice embedded in the US food system has resulted in harms such as land loss for BIPOC communities; low pay and poor working conditions for farm and food workers; and unjust racial and ethnic disparities in rates of hunger, food insecurity, and diet-related diseases. That’s why we’re excited to share ChangeLab Solutions’ new resource for changemakers who wish to center racial equity in food systems research, policy, and action. 'Justice on the Menu: Legal & Policy Strategies to Address Structural Discrimination in the US Food System' is informed by food justice movements, which acknowledge racism as the root cause of inequities and honor the power of BIPOC communities to lead strategies that support healthy and thriving food systems. The report offers current and historical context; policy menus for change; community spotlights; and practical and legal considerations for policymaking to promote food justice, health justice, and racial justice. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gfvbACa8

Nutrition Policy Institute's Kassandra Bacon will present with CACFP Roundtable’s Samantha Marshall, MA, MPAP at the 2024 Annual CACFP Conference at Universal Studios, CA on October 8, 2:30pm-3:30pm PT. Their workshop, “Impacts of COVID-19 Changes to Meal and Snack Reimbursements on Family Child Care Home Providers, Children and Families” will share California statewide provider survey results and interviews with providers and sponsors highlighting the impacts of the end of COVID-19 CACFP reimbursement rates on:  - the benefits and challenges to CACFP-participation - family child care homes’ financial viability - changes to the nutritional quality of meals and snacks served - food security of providers and families The workshop will engage CACFP stakeholders to develop proposed policy solutions based on study findings. #CACFP #familychildcare

A recent article published in Nutrients MDPI found that increased Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) reimbursement rates during COVID-19 helped improve access to diverse, high-quality, and nutritious foods for children at family childcare homes participating in CACFP. Key findings: - Over half of providers reported reduced out-of-pocket food expenses - Nearly half or more reported improvements in meal quality, variety, and healthfulness. - Tier 2 providers, who received the lowest rates prior to COVID-19, experienced the most benefits. - Providers perceived pre-pandemic reimbursement rates as inadequate to meet CACFP nutrition standards. Increased reimbursements for all family child care home providers could enhance participation in the CACFP and improve access to nutritious meals for young children, particularly in low-income households. Read more: https://bit.ly/3N7eImX Collaborators included: University of California, Berkeley and CACFP Roundtable

A 2023 Arizona survey of food service directors and school nutrition staff by Nutrition Policy Institute identified the effects of the move away from free school meals for all students in the 2022-2023 academic year. A statewide policy to eliminate co-pays for reduced-price lunch took effect in January 2023. The survey respondents represented almost one-third of Arizona school districts with most districts having at least 40% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Effects of the change to school meals included: 71% of respondents reported a decline in school meal participation 63% of respondents reported a decline in food service revenue 55% of respondents reported an increase in confusion among parents and students regarding meal costs  55% of respondents reported an increase in administrative burden  84% of respondents reported challenges to financial stability Factors that helped schools during this time included federal Supply Chain Assistance funds (88%), state (63%) and federal (85%) funding for school meals, and a supportive district administration (76%).  Financial and operational support from federal and state governments can continue to enhance the success of school meal programs.  Read more: https://lnkd.in/gj_xxqSi  

Thank you California State Senate Senator Nancy Skinner and California State Assembly Member Mia Bonta for helping the UCANR Nutrition Policy Institute celebrate our 10 years of impact on improved nutrition and physical activity in California with a joint members resolution! 🎉 Here are some of NPI's achievements in providing reliable, science-based policy recommendations to state, local, and federal government bodies as highlighted in the resolution: • Pioneered research that led California to become the first state to provide free school breakfast and lunch for all K-12 students. • Demonstrated that comprehensive SNAP Ed and CalFresh Healthy Living interventions improve children's fitness and diet-related outcomes, supporting healthy eating and active living efforts. • Contributed to California's policy ensuring 30 minutes of recess for students and healthier beverage options in childcare settings. • Conducted research which led to the establishment of Basic Needs Campus Centers across UC campuses, supporting food-insecure students. • Expanded the purchase of California-grown produce for state prisons, benefiting incarcerated individuals and California farmers. • Evaluated dollar-for-dollar match programs at farmers markets, securing funding to help CalFresh participants buy more California-grown fruits and vegetables. Join us in celebrating NPI's decade of dedication to public health and well-being! 🎉 #NutritionPolicy #PublicHealth #FoodSecurity #HealthyLiving #California Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g3cypD2p

We are excited to welcome UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health graduate student Christian Black to the Nutrition Policy Institute UCANR team as our UC Bonnie Reiss Climate Action Sustainable Agriculture & Food Fellow! As part of his fellowship, Black will work with our Farm-to-Corrections project team and collaborators to support efforts to improve food and nutrition security among currently and formerly incarcerated individuals in California. Learn more about Black and the fellowship here: https://bit.ly/4g8Tt1r

An article in EdSource by Hannah Thompson of Nutrition Policy Institute and Rebecca London of the University of California, Santa Cruz discussed the impacts of the “Recess for All” law in California schools. The law requires at least 30 minutes of recess in elementary schools and bans taking away recess for punishment. Research has shown that recess:  has behavioral, mental, and physical benefits for students can promote student success in the classroom by helping with concentration supports development of social skills, especially important for students after social isolation during the pandemic The law has promoted equity for students of color and those in low-income areas as these groups historically have had less recess time. However, recess has not always been emphasized due to the increased value of standardized testing during the No Child Left Behind era. Hopefully, with the support of parents and students, the “Recess for All” law can be implemented equally throughout California elementary schools. Learn more about the “Recess for All” law here: https://lnkd.in/eDfBEyeb

See Additional statistics on food security, food spending, and the use of Federal and community food and nutrition assistance programs used in USDA’s Household Food Security in the United States 2023 report: https://lnkd.in/gDq_uPnN

Prevalence of U.S. household food insecurity increased in 2023. Learn more in today's Chart of Note: https://lnkd.in/gjF-UZ9s.