During COVID-19, eliminating tiered Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) reimbursements stabilized tier 1 & increased tier 2 childcare providers’ participation 📈. When tiers returned, participation fell 📉. Reforming CACFP reimbursements could support provider retention & child nutrition! 🍎

Farm‑to‑school programs do more than connect kids with fresh, local food >> they shape healthier school environments and strengthen community food systems.This new systematic review--funded by HER--maps the multi‑level health impacts of local food procurement across the U.S.

Two decades of impact! After releasing our 20‑Year Impact Report, we’re moving full speed into the next chapter: advancing research, strengthening child nutrition policies, and expanding collaboration nationwide. healthyeatingresearch.org/who-we-are/o...

Sign up for our newsletter and stay connected and in the know with HER. Get the latest research, funding opportunities, and partner news delivered straight to your inbox. 👉 healthyeatingresearch.org/email-signup/

Here's to 20‑Years of impact! Healthy Eating Research is stepping into the next phase of our work with renewed purpose: deeper partnerships, stronger evidence, and a national research agenda that puts children’s health and equity at the center. Read more on our website!

💡 HER-funded research reveals that while the Earned Income Tax Credit is a lifeline for many families, learning and administrative barriers keep too many eligible households from receiving it. Streamlining access is essential for maximizing impact. Full study:

Healthy Eating Research is marking 20 years of advancing equitable, evidence-based nutrition policy. With $35M in research investments, groundbreaking guidelines, and a growing community of diverse scholars, we’re proud of the progress made — and energized for what comes next.

📢 New HER-funded study in JAND reveals what motivates parents to support universal school meals for elementary kids: ✅ Convenience & cost savings ✅ Social & developmental benefits ✅ Clear, visual, evidence-based messages 👉 Read more: buff.ly/G0mg6Po #SchoolMeals

A year of milestones, momentum, and meaningful work. From our 20th anniversary to new research initiatives, 2025 pushed us forward in powerful ways. Explore the standout moments and what’s on deck for 2026. 👉 Read the full recap

New Year, New Goals? 🎯 Start 2026 by staying in the know! Get the latest research, funding opportunities, and partner news delivered straight to your inbox. 👉 Sign up today and stay connected! healthyeatingresearch.org/email-signup/

💙 Every child deserves access to healthy food. When nutrition programs are cut, families struggle—but together, we can change that. Help HER build a healthier future for all kids. 👉 Last chance to give: www.gifts.duke.edu?designation=... #HealthyFutures #NutritionMatters #HERImpact

Our 2025 research highlights are here! From celebrating our 20th anniversary to new research and collaborative efforts, see the items that made our list. 📩 Check your inbox or read now: healthyeatingresearch.org/2025/12/heal...

Wishing you a season full of joy, connection, and nourishing traditions. At Healthy Eating Research, we’re all about making healthy choices easier for families and communities. Here’s to healthy holidays and a brighter, healthier new year! 💚

New study alert! 🚨 Funded by HER, @NutritionPolicy research shows #CACFP providers valued COVID-era tier elimination & higher reimbursements—boosting food budgets & quality. But barriers remain: providers call for even higher rates & less admin burden. bit.ly/4rvqDxD

Food assistance should nourish, not shame. A new study reveals how stigma, personal and systemic, blocks access to vital supports. From pantry design to policy reform, it’s time to center dignity in every step. #FoodInsecurity #Stigma healthyeatingresearch.org/2025/12/how-...

When nutrition programs are cut, children and families suffer. HER is working to fill critical evidence gaps and influence policy for a healthier future. Join us in this fight. Make your year-end gift today. 👉 www.gifts.duke.edu?designation=... #HealthyFutures #NutritionMatters #HERImpact

Access to healthy school meals is on the line. HER’s new commentary shows how 2025 policy changes, like SNAP & Medicaid restrictions, could shrink school meal participation, strain schools, and deepen inequities.

New HER-funded research shows that eliminating free school meals for all leads to higher student debt, increased stigma, and lower participation. States that maintain universal meals ensure stability, dignity, and access for every child—because food is a right, not a privilege. 📖 Read the full study

What are UPFs? Why do they matter for kids’ health? And how can schools shift toward more fresh and scratch-cooked meals? A new @HEResearch brief breaks it down. healthyeatingresearch.org/research/upf... #SchoolMeals #ScratchCooking

Wishing you a restful holiday filled with joy, renewal, and plenty of healthy, delicious food!

Our recent policy webinar series is full of great tips! Sessions cover topics like strategic science, communicating research for impact, and amplifying your work using digital platforms. Read the blog post and access all three recordings here: bit.ly/4oZygef

The latest @HEResearch grantees focus on recent policy changes and their impact on nutrition programs and outcomes. Learn more: buff.ly/2omt6t9

Deputy Director Megan Lott had the opportunity to meet @iamwanda, an incredible org advancing Black women in dietetics & nutrition! 🌱Building a movement of "food sheroes" to transform community health. Their SNAP/WIC video is a game-changer for food assistance education: bit.ly/43ArLGb

HER is honored to have been part of RWJF's 20-year commitment to addressing childhood obesity, and to be highlighted in @RWJF’s final @State of Childhood Obesity report, which reflects on 20 years of collective efforts to prevent childhood obesity. Read the full report ➡️ bit.ly/3LW9iO0

A new legislative health note from the Bloomberg School of Public Health examines how expanding state funding for the Healthy School Meals for All program could impact children’s nutrition, family finances, and long-term health. Read more here: publichealth.jhu.edu/sites/defaul...

Watch HER recorded webinar from Thursday, October 23 on “Amplifying Your Research Using Digital Platforms” healthyeatingresearch.org/2025/09/ampl...

As SNAP and WIC programs face funding uncertainty and stricter eligibility rules, millions of Americans will feel the effects. These shifts will impact veterans, parents, and small businesses alike.

On October 1st panelists at the Duke Global Health Institute hosted a ThinkGlobal presentation on how nutrition science, policy-making, and media shape public trust in health and our food system. The recorded presentation is now available on Youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9gl...

Join HER this Thursday, October 23, 12:00-1:00 pm EST for a webinar on “Amplifying Your Research Using Digital Platforms” duke.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

#DYK that 4 in 10 US adults have #obesity? TFAH’s new report examines the root causes of America’s obesity crisis and includes policy recommendations for improving the nation’s State of Obesity. www.tfah.org/report-detai... @HealthyAmerica1

REGISTER TODAY for a webinar on “ Amplifying Your Research Using Digital Platforms” - October 23, 12:00-1:00 pm EST. Don't miss it! duke.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Did you know that school meals are among the healthiest meals kids consume? The National School Lunch Program serves 30M+ children every school day, and kids who eat school meals consume more fruits and veggies and fewer desserts and snacks. #NationalSchoolLunchWeek

Join us on October 23, 12:00-1:00 pm EST for a webinar on “ Amplifying Your Research Using Digital Platforms” duke.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

In our latest newsletter--the next webinar in our research and policy webinar series and new grantee research: See link in bio. #healthyeating #publichealthresearch #nutritionresearch

Join @fracposts.bsky.social this Thursday Oct 2 for a webinar about the Food Security Supplement, the national food security survey the USDA recently announced will be discontinued. Register to learn more about the survey and why it matters: buff.ly/ejGWMVf

HER's Deputy Director Megan Lott says USDA's annual food insecurity survey is "the most comprehensive source we have" for measuring food insecurity. Advocates agree that cancelling the report will also make it harder to evaluate the impact of new SNAP cuts. www.reuters.com/business/hea...

Join us on October 23, 12:00-1:00 pm EST for a webinar on “ Amplifying Your Research Using Digital Platforms” duke.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Join @cspinet.org on Tuesday, September 16th from 3-4 ET to unpack the contents of the MAHA Strategy Report. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

We know what works. Federal nutrition programs lift children and families out of hunger. It is time to double down on proven solutions.

Just released: A review of research on SNAP purchase restrictions & combined incentive-disincentive approaches. With new USDA-approved state waivers taking place in 2026, we will need evidence on how these policies impact participants. healthyeatingresearch.org/research/the... #SNAP #FoodPolicy

SNAP funding cuts threaten food security, health: Harvard experts discuss the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” cuts to SNAP and implications for SNAP recipients hsph.harvard.edu/news/snap-fu...

HER Director Mary Story spoke to Nutrition Insight about the leaked MAHA strategy report: "Sadly, there are no powerful solutions or bold policies in this draft report" www.nutritioninsight.com/news/maha-dr... #nutritionpolicy #mahareport

New @rwjf.bsky.social funding aims to support timely actionable health equity research that has been interrupted by shifts in federal funding. Learn more and apply by October 1 www.rwjf.org/en/grants/ac...

On Aug 27, join investigators from @rwjf.bsky.social research programs as they break down hot topics, from healthcare and immigration to Medicaid and SNAP. ucdenver.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Civil Eats launched their Food Policy Tracker in January to follow federal actions that impact the U.S. food system. Take a look at their top food policy changes of 2025 so far: civileats.com/2025/08/04/t...

Join us for tomorrow's webinar. Communications experts from Burness will provide essential strategies for effective communication, crafting clear and compelling messaging, and choosing the right tactics for getting your message out. bit.ly/44IBhqg

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