Monica Zuercher is an Assistant Project Scientist at the Nutrition Policy Institute. She has experience in research, data analysis, development of data collection tools, project management, scientific communication, program evaluation, and teaching. Her research interests are focused on improving population health and nutrition and preventing chronic diseases.

PUBLICATIONS

1. Orta-Aleman D, Schwartz M, Patel A, Polacsek M, Hecht C, Hecht K, Zuercher MD, Ritchie LD, Cohen JFW, Gosliner W. Statewide Universal School Meal Policies and Food Insecurity in Households With Children. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2026;70(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2025.107942.
2. Juliana F.W. Cohen, Monica D Zuercher, Dania Orta-Aleman, Leah E Chapman, Christina A Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, Deborah A Olarte, Anisha I Patel, Michele Polacsek, Marlene B Schwartz, Lorrene Ritchie, Wendi Gosliner. Impact of De-implementing Universal Free School Meals on Schools: School Food Authority Perspectives. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2025;57(10):902-908. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2025.06.001.
3. Deborah A. Olarte, Wendi Gosliner, Leah E. Chapman, Christina Hecht, Ken Hecht, Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, Anisha I. Patel, Margaret Read, Lorrene D. Ritchie, Marlene B. Schwartz, Monica D. Zuercher, Dania Orta-Aleman, Michele Polacsek, Juliana F. W. Cohen. Foodservice directors’ perceived barriers to student participation in school meals when meals were served free of charge during the 2021-2022 school year. Journal of School Health. 2025;95(8):575-586. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.70019.
4. Leah Elizabeth Chapman, Wendi Gosliner, Marlene B. Schwartz, Monica Daniela Zuercher, Lorrene D. Ritchie, Dania Orta-Aleman, Christina E. Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Michele Polacsek, Anisha I. Patel, Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, Margaret Read, Deborah A. Olarte, Juliana F. W. Cohen. Understanding Free or Reduced-Price School Meal Stigma: A Qualitative Analysis of Parent Perspectives. Journal of School Health. 2025;95(6):389-399. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.70004.
5. Leah Chapman, Deborah A. Olarte, Monica D. Zuercher, Wendi Gosliner, Lorrene D. Ritchie, Dania Orta-Aleman, Marlene B. Schwartz, Michele Polacsek, Christina E. Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Anisha I. Patel, Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, Margaret Read, Juliana F.W. Cohen. Impact of mealtime social experiences on student participation in and consumption of meals at school: a qualitative analysis of parent perspectives. Public Health Nutrition. 2025;28(1):e55. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980024002349.
6. Carolyn Chelius, Kassandra Bacon, Dania Orta-Aleman, Monica D Zuercher, Lorrene Ritchie, Juliana FW Cohen, Christina E Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Wendi Gosliner. California Middle and High School Students Report Wanting “Fresh” and “Healthy” School Meals. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2025;57(5):374-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2025.01.006.
7. Juliana F.W. Cohen, Leah E. Chapman, Deborah A. Olarte, Christina A. Hecht, Kenneth Hecht, Leran Minc, Punam Ohri-Vachaspati, Dania Orta-Aleman, Anisha I Patel, Michele Polacsek, Lorrene D Ritchie, Monica D Zuercher, Wendi Gosliner. Perceived impact of a state-level universal free school meal policy on households with varying income levels. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2025;125(10):1425-1433.e4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2024.10.001.
8. Orta-Aleman D, Zuercher MD, Hecht C, Hecht K, Poudel I, Olarte DA, Patel A, Polacsek M, Ritchie LD, Cohen JFW, Gosliner W. Perceptions and Experiences of Universal School Meals in California: Qualitative Insights From School Food Authorities on Participation, Stigma, and Operational Benefits and Challenges. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2025;125(6):751-760.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2024.11.002.
9. Zuercher MD, Orta-Aleman D, French CD, et al. Factors and Outcomes Associated With Using Scratch-Cooked, Organic, and Locally Grown Foods in School Meals in California. Journal of School Health. 2025;95(3):235-246. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.13533.
10. Zuercher MD, Cohen JFW, Hecht CA, Hecht K, Orta-Aleman D, Olarte DA, Chapman LE, Read M, Ritchie LD, Gosliner W. Household Food Insecurity Is Associated with Parental Perceptions of and Student Participation in School Meals. Nutrients. 2024; 16(19):3375. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193375.
11. Zuercher MD, Orta-Aleman D, Cohen JFW, Hecht CA, Hecht K, Polacsek M, Patel AI, Ritchie LD, Gosliner W. The Benefits and Challenges of Providing School Meals during the First Year of California’s Universal School Meal Policy as Reported by School Foodservice Professionals. Nutrients. 2024;16(12):1812. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121812.
12. Chapman LE, Gosliner W, Olarte DA, Ritchie LD, Schwartz MB, Polacsek M, Hecht CE, Hecht K, Turner L, Patel AI, Zuercher MD, Read M, Daly TP, Cohen JFW. Universal School Meals During the Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Parent Perceptions From California and Maine. J Acad Nutr Diet. May 11 2024; DOI:10.1016/j.jand.2024.05.005.
13. Orta-Aleman D, Zuercher MD, Bacon KA, Chelius C, Hecht CA, Hecht K, Ritchie LD, Cohen JFW, Gosliner W. Students’ Perspectives on the Benefits and Challenges of Universal School Meals Related to Food Accessibility, Stigma, Participation, and Waste. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2024;56(9):599-610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2024.04.011.
14. Zuercher M.D., Cohen J.F.W., Hecht C.A., Hecht K., Orta-Aleman D., Patel A.I., Olarte D.A., Chapman L.E., Read M., Schwartz M.B., Ritchie L.D., Gosliner W. Parent Perceptions of School Meals Influence Student Participation in School Meal Programs. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2024;56(4):230-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2024.01.003 (Editor’s choice).
15. Zuercher MD, Cohen JFW, Ohri-Vachaspati P, Hecht CA, Hecht K, Polacsek M, Olarte DA, Read M, Patel AI, Schwartz MB, Chapman LE, Orta-Aleman D, Ritchie LD, Gosliner W. Parent perceptions of school meals and how perceptions differ by race and ethnicity. Health Affairs Scholar, Volume 2, Issue 1, 10 January 2024. https://doi.org/10.1093/haschl/qxad092.
16. Monica D. Zuercher, Danielle J. Harvey, Lauren E. Au, Aladdin H. Shadyab, Margarita Santiago-Torres, Simin Liu, Nitin Shivappa, James R. Hebert, John A. Robbins, Lorena Garcia. Energy-Adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index and Diabetes Risk in Postmenopausal Hispanic Women. 2023. J Acad Nutr Diet 5:S2212-2672(23)01310-2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2023.08.002.
17. Monica D. Zuercher, Danielle J. Harvey, Margarita Santiago-Torres, Lauren E. Au, Nitin Shivappa, Aladdin H. Shadyab, Matthew Allison, Linda Snetselaar, Buyun Liu, John Robbins, James R. Hébert, Lorena Garcia. (2023) Dietary Inflammatory Index and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Hispanic Women from the Women’s Health Initiative. Nutrition journal, 22, 5, PMID= 36631866, publisher= Nutr J. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12937-023-00838-9.
18. Juliana FW Cohen, Michele Polacsek, Christina E Hecht, Ken Hecht, Margaret Read, Deborah Olarte, Anisha I Patel, Marlene B. Schwartz, Lindsey Turner, Monica Zuercher, Wendi Gosliner, Lorrene Ritchie. (2022) Implementation of Universal School Meals during COVID-19 and beyond: Challenges and Benefits for School Meals Programs in Maine. Nutrients, 14, 4031, PMID= 36235683, publisher= Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/NU14194031.
19. Zuercher M.D., Cohen J.F.W., Hecht C.E., Hecht K., Ritchie L.D., Gosliner W. (2022). Providing School Meals to All Students Free of Charge during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: Challenges and Benefits Reported by School Foodservice Professionals in California. Nutrients 2022, 14, 3855, publisher=Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/NU14183855.
20. Zuercher M.D., Harvey D.J., Au L.E., Shadyab A.H., Nassir R., Robbins J.A., Seldin M.F., Garcia L. (2022). Genetic admixture and cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal Hispanic women. International Journal of Cardiology, 367, 99-104, PMID=35961613, publisher=Elsevier Ireland Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.08.020.
21. Robles-Ordaz MD, Gallegos-Aguilar AC, Urquidez-Romero R, Diaz-Zavala RG, Lavandera-Torres MG, Esparza-Romero J. Prevalence of prediabetes and modifiable factors in an ethnic group of Mexico: The Comcáac Project. Public Health Nutr. 2018 Feb;21(2):333-338. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980017002658.
22. Robles-Ordaz, M.D., A.C. Gallegos-Aguilar, R.G. Diaz-Zavala, R. Urquídez-Romero, T. Quizán-Plata y J. Esparza-Romero. Adaptación y factibilidad de un programa de prevención de diabetes en la comunidad Comcáac (Seri) de Sonora, Mexico. TECNOCIENCIA Chihuahua 2015; 9(2): 75-83. 

MEDIA DISSEMINATION

1. Cohen J, Chapman L, Gombi-Vaca M, Hecht C, Hecht K, Schwartz M, Zuercher M, Ritchie L, Gosliner W. Research Brief: Current State of Scratch-Cooked and Minimally Processed Foods Served in California Schools. August 2025. https://www.childnourishlab.org/_files/ugd/383bcd_184bd32412e349c188316e51c51a5553.pdf.
2. Zuercher M, Esparza E, Ritchie L, Gosliner W. Research Brief: Colorado Food Service Director Survey Findings: Experiences transitioning from meals free of charge for all students. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. March 2025. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2025-04/2023-CO-FSD-Survey-Brief-Accessible.pdf.
3. Cohen J, Chapman L, Gombi-Vaca M, Gosliner W, Hecht C, Hecht K, Schwartz M, Zuercher M, Ritchie L. Research Brief: Current State of Processed Foods in Schools. March 2025. https://www.childnourishlab.org/_files/ugd/383bcd_0a42f43b97f84f26860a980a284e5d91.pdf.
4. Hecht CA, Hecht K, Gosliner W, French CD, Zuercher MD, Orta-Aleman D, Ritchie LD. The State of School Meals for All in California. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. February 2025. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2025-03/State%20of%20California%20School%20Meals%20for%20All%20-%202025.05.25%20V2.pdf.
5. Zuercher M, Esparza E, Ritchie L, Gosliner W. Research Brief: Texas Food Service Director Survey Findings: Experiences transitioning from meals free of charge for all students. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. August 2024. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2024-12/404998.pdf.
6. School Meals for All Supports Students and Families Hecht K, Hecht C, Aguayo Villalon B, Orta-Aleman D, Zuercher M, French CD, Esparza E, Sam-Chen S, Lee DL, Ritchie LD, Gosliner W. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Research to Action news brief, volume 8, number 4, 3 December 2024. https://mailchi.mp/7fa9cf153455/npi-brief-v8n4.  [Available in Spanish - Programa Universal de Comidas Escolares Beneficia a Estudiantes y Familias]
7. Desert Sun. https://www.desertsun.com/story/opinion/2024/11/23/thanks-covid-19-for-giving-kids-free-lunch/76481509007/.
8. Essay “Thanks, COVID-19, for Giving Kids Free Lunch” posted on Zócalo Public Square on November 18, 2024. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/covid-19-school-free-lunch-students/.
9. School Lunch: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, aired on September 8, 2024. Advisor: we worked with the show’s producer to share our knowledge and research findings, all of which were highlighted in this timely segment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YypArYDcjA&t=527s.
10. Esparza E, Zuercher M, Ohri-Vachaspati P, Ritchie L, Gosliner W. Research brief: Arizona Food Service Director Survey Findings: Experiences transitioning from meals free of charge for all students. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. August 2024. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2025-03/School%20Meals%20for%20All%20-%20Arizona%20Food%20Service%20Director%20Survey%20Findings%20-%20%20Experiences%20transitioning%20from%20meals%20free%20of%20charge%20for%20all%20students%20-%202024.09.05.pdf.
11. Featured Article Podcast. Parent Perceptions of School Meals Influence Student Participation in School Meal Programs. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. April 2024.   https://www.jneb.org/content/podcast.
12. Zuercher M, Orta-Aleman D, Hecht C, Hecht K, Ritchie L, Gosliner W. Research Brief: School Meals for All in California: Government investments are associated with better meal operations, labor practices, and local food sourcing. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. April 2024. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2024-06/397262.pdf.
13. Orta-Aleman D, Hecht C, Zuercher M, Hecht K, Cohen JFW, Ritchie L and Gosliner W. Research Brief: School Meals for All in California: Strongly supported by parents of all income levels. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. March 2024. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2024-03/395529.pdf.
14. Cohen JFW, Gosliner W, Polacsek M, Hecht CE, Hecht K, Read M, Olarte DO, Chapman L, Patel AI, Schwartz MB, Turner L, Zuercher MD, Ritchie LD. “Implementation of Universal School Meals during COVID-19 and beyond: School Food Authority and Parent Perspectives.” Share Our Strength Report. September 2023. https://bestpractices.nokidhungry.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/FULL%20REPORT_Universal%20School%20Meals%20during%20COVID-19%20Report.pdf.
15. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions. University of Connecticut, Rudd Center. Merrimack College. Boise State University, College of Education. Research Brief: The Many Benefits of School Meals for All. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. August 2023. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2025-03/USM-%20Good%20for%20All.v7_accessible.pdf.
16. Cohen J, Gosliner W, Hecht C, Hecht K, Schwartz M, Zuercher M, Ritchie L. Research Brief: Impact of Massachusetts’ Healthy School Meals for All Policy on Families. June 2023. https://www.childnourishlab.org/_files/ugd/383bcd_45ee5fed8e224ffd8639f0f498086e31.pdf.
17. Orta-Aleman D, Chelius C, Bacon K, Hecht C, Hecht K, Zuercher M, Ritchie L, Gosliner W. Research Brief: School Meals for All: Farm Fresh Food. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. June 2023. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2023-06/385523.pdf.
18. Hecht C, Hecht K, Zuercher M, Ritchie L, Gosliner W. Research Brief: School Meals for All in California: Parents Value School Meals for All and Offer Suggestions to Strengthen Meal Programs. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. May 2023. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2023-05/384115.pdf.
19. Hecht C, Bacon K, Chapman L, Chelius C, Olarte D, Orta-Aleman D, Zuercher M, Hecht K, Ritchie L, Cohen JFW and Gosliner W. Research Brief: School Meals for All in California: Time to Eat Can Be a Barrier to Full Participation. Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. April 2023. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2025-03/Research%20Brief%20%233_Time%20to%20Eat.v8FINAL.pdf.
20. Article “What if every kid got a free lunch?” in the Editor’s Note of The New York Times for Kids on January 29, 2023, written by Katherine Cusumano. (Interview)
21. Zuercher M. Gran reto logístico implica los alimentos gratis en las escuelas. ¿Cómo resolverlo? Los Angeles Times. Interview by Norma De la Vega, September 2022. https://www.latimes.com/espanol/california/articulo/2022-09-15/gran-reto-logistico-implica-los-alimentos-gratis-en-las-escuelas-como-resolverlo.
22. Hecht C, Zuercher M, Hecht K, Gosliner W, Ritchie L. School Meals for All in California: Benefits and Challenges During COVID and Beyond as Reported by School Food Services. Research Brief, August 2022. https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2022-08/371654.pdf.
23. Zuercher M. Comidas gratis para todos en escuelas y un equipo de expertos a cargo de encontrar soluciones prácticas al gran reto logístico. Department of Information and Dissemination in Spanish of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of California. Interview by Norma De la Vega, July 2022. https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=53846.