Center for Nutrition & Health Impact

Center for Nutrition & Health Impact The Center for Nutrition and Health Impact offers public health research, partnership and evaluation.

The Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition provides measurement and evaluation in the areas of healthy eating/active living, food insecurity, policy advocacy and health equity. This is accomplished through outreach and research efforts often partnering with various entities such as universities, non-profits and other community organizations. In addition to an endowment, the Center garners further f

unding through the submission of grants and contracts to build the research infrastructure at the local, state and national levels.

🥒 June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month! A perfect time to celebrate greater access to healthy foods and th...
06/16/2026

🥒 June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month! A perfect time to celebrate greater access to healthy foods and the programs that help make that possible in communities across the country. 🍇

At CNHI, we know that food and nutrition programs create an impact far beyond individual participants. They help inform policy, strengthen communities, support local systems, and guide future investment. That is why meaningful evaluation matters.

This month, we are recognizing the programs, partnerships, and community-driven efforts working to make healthy eating more accessible for all — and the importance of sharing the impact these initiatives are making in communities.

Learn more about our evaluation efforts: https://bit.ly/4vz5xja

For more than a decade, CNHI has partnered with Voices for Healthy Kids, an initiative of the American Heart Association...
06/10/2026

For more than a decade, CNHI has partnered with Voices for Healthy Kids, an initiative of the American Heart Association, to support advocacy efforts advancing healthier communities for children.

Since 2014, this collaboration has focused on developing tools and strategies to help organizations assess campaign readiness, strengthen advocacy approaches, and support long-term community impact.

As the project concludes this summer, we will be reflecting on its evolution, key milestones, and lasting impact over the past 12 years.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the full story directly in your inbox: https://bit.ly/4ur5khc

New research examines the feasibility of a screening decision tool designed to help allocate adults into Food is Medicin...
06/08/2026

New research examines the feasibility of a screening decision tool designed to help allocate adults into Food is Medicine programs. 🥗🥭🍅

Results showed strong participant engagement, high matching rates for referrals, improvements in blood pressure outcomes, and high satisfaction among rural and urban adults.

Authors from the Center include: Dr. Betsy Anderson Steeves, Emily Dimond, and Carolina Morales Serrano.

Gustafson A, Lauckner C, Bush JL, Dimond E, Morales Serrano C, Mayfield C, Anderson Steeves ET. Feasibility study of a screening decision tool for allocating adults into food is medicine programs as an effective approach to target clinical and dietary outcomes among rural and urban adults. Front Public Health. 2026;14. Doi:10.3389/fpubh.2026.1783076

Discover how Food is Medicine programs are supporting healthier communities: https://bit.ly/4xmO2Vd

Frontiers

In late April, CNHI researchers attended the Society of Behavioral Medicine ’s (SBM) 47th Annual Meeting & Scientific Se...
06/04/2026

In late April, CNHI researchers attended the Society of Behavioral Medicine ’s (SBM) 47th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions.

CNHI CEO Dr. Amy Yaroch, who is a SBM Fellow, participated in a special interest group panel focused on navigating career paths outside of academia.

This session entitled, “Charting your Course: Exploring Careers Outside of Traditional Academia” offered guidance for behavioral medicine scientists and clinicians including transferable skills, daily responsibilities, similarities and differences as compared with academia, and tips for making the transition from academia.

Pictured in the first photo (left to right): Ro Huntriss, Dr. Amy Yaroch, Dr. Kathryn Ross, Dr. Casey Hughes, Dr. Jennifer Frediani, and Dr. Leah Schumacher.

Pictured in the second photo is Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Courtney Parks, at her poster presentation.

Happy Community Health Improvement Week! 🏡❤️️🥗CNHI believes stronger communities are built through evidence-informed act...
06/02/2026

Happy Community Health Improvement Week! 🏡❤️️🥗

CNHI believes stronger communities are built through evidence-informed action. We work with partners across the country to evaluate nutrition and public health initiatives that support food and nutrition security, strengthen healthy food access, and help inform policies that impact communities every day.

Explore CNHI’s latest research and insights to learn how evidence-driven strategies can help support healthier communities: https://pulse.ly/xs1klpnzyv

New CNHI publication below!New research explores how independent food retailers in Virginia view their role in promoting...
05/29/2026

New CNHI publication below!

New research explores how independent food retailers in Virginia view their role in promoting planetary health. Findings highlight how retailers see themselves as key players in supporting sustainable food systems, while also navigating challenges related to sourcing, consumer demand, and business realities.

Authors from the Center include Dr. Bailey Houghtaling.



DeNunzio M, Houghtaling B, Olayemi V, Serrano E, Gardezi M, Kraak V, Hedges S, Misyak S. Virginia independent food retailer perceptions of their role in planetary health promotion. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. March 2026.

Explore how food retailers are shaping sustainable food systems: https://pulse.ly/w2zf9jco32

On April 8-9, CNHI Research Scientist Dr. Whitney Fung Uy attended the 2026 Florida Farm School (F2S) Conference in Tamp...
05/26/2026

On April 8-9, CNHI Research Scientist Dr. Whitney Fung Uy attended the 2026 Florida Farm School (F2S) Conference in Tampa, FL for the first time! 💡

Hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the F2S Conference highlighted local efforts to support farmers in school-based settings, innovative programs to incorporate agroecological design and school gardens into school curricula, and successful examples for enhancing school nutrition standards, promoting food safety, and reducing food waste. Attendees also participated in farm tours and a Farmers Market Expo to connect with local producers.

As a community-based researcher, Dr. Fung Uy is actively involved in local food systems initiatives to engage with local leaders and support programs that increase food access and promote health. 🥪🥬🥒

Attending conferences like F2S supports collaboration across sectors and helps advance shared efforts to strengthen food and nutrition security.

We’re excited to welcome four new team members to CNHI!JaPeera Leary joins as Marketing and Communications Manager, Chri...
05/18/2026

We’re excited to welcome four new team members to CNHI!

JaPeera Leary joins as Marketing and Communications Manager, Christina Ayoleke as Senior Communications and Design Associate, Haeley Morin as Senior GusNIP Communications Associate, and Sara Russell as Research Statistician.

Together, they bring expertise across storytelling, design, and data to support and strengthen our work. Please extend a warm welcome to our new staff!

In late March, Senior Research Administration and Compliance Manager Beth Kerling attended the National Extension and Re...
05/15/2026

In late March, Senior Research Administration and Compliance Manager Beth Kerling attended the National Extension and Research Administrative Officers Conference, hosted by Kansas State University and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture .

The conference offered key updates on grants management, compliance, and federal requirements, plus opportunities to connect with partners across the land-grant system and federal agencies.

We're excited to share a new CNHI publication!New research evaluates a shipped medically tailored meal pilot using a mix...
05/13/2026

We're excited to share a new CNHI publication!

New research evaluates a shipped medically tailored meal pilot using a mixed-methods approach, offering insights into how home-delivered nutrition interventions can support patient-centered care. The study highlights participant experiences, helping to inform future programs.

Authors from the Center include: Shelly Palmer, Dr. Laura Balis, and Dr. Amy Yaroch.

Palmer S, Balis LE, Yaroch AL. Mixed methods evaluation of a shipped medically tailored meal pilot intervention. J Patient Cent Res Rev. April 2026. doi: 10.17294/2330-0698.2175

Learn how these findings can inform programs: https://pulse.ly/qu4isgfjs6

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