The MS Nanney award is a prize for a specific research project that exemplifies ISBNPA values of behavioural nutrition and/or physical activity to better human health that has an impact beyond scientific study (e.g. dissemination, public engagement).

The process

The ISBNPA community is asked to nominate potential awardees.

The Awards Committee evaluates the proposals and makes a recommendation for the Executive Committee.

A decision is made under consensus of both committees.

The winner

1. The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) is a USDA-funded initiative that supports projects aimed at improving access to fruits and vegetables for low-income individuals and families. GusNIP was established in 2018 through the US Farm Bill. Administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), GusNIP provides grants to support nutrition incentive (NI) and produce prescription (PPR) projects nationwide. NI initiatives help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants stretch their food dollars by offering matching incentives when purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, grocery stores, and other retail outlets. PPR initiatives allow healthcare providers to “prescribe” fruits and vegetables to patients as part of a broader effort to manage or prevent diet-related chronic diseases. GusNIP not only supports healthier food choices and improved food and nutrition security, but also strengthens local food systems by connecting communities with farmers and food retailers. The program is named in honor of Gus Schumacher, a champion of food access. Crucially, the GusNIP National Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Center (NTAE), led by the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact, has established a shared evaluation framework for this national food policy initiative.
2. Led by the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact in partnership with Fair Food Network, University of California San Francisco and a coalition of partners including the National Grocers Association Foundation, Michigan Farmers Market Association and Food Trust, the Nutrition Incentive Hub has expertise in a multitude of areas, with presence across the nation. These partners are developing systems, infrastructure, and collaborative networks and relationships to support GusNIP grantees, while building capacity and sustainability. These efforts will help maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of nutrition incentive and produce prescription projects in meeting priorities by: increasing fruit and vegetable purchase and consumption among program participants, reducing individual and household food insecurity, improving the nutrition and health status of participating households, reducing health care use and associated costs.
3. We’re fortunate to have an outstanding and large team of CNHI staff and collaborating partners! Among ISBNPA members, Amy Yaroch serves as the Project Director, Carmen Byker Shanks is the Co-Project Director, and Bailey Houghtaling contributes as a Research Scientist.
4. Since its launch, GusNIP has played a pivotal role in advancing nutrition security and access to healthy foods across the United States. By supporting NI and PPR initiatives, the program has enabled thousands of SNAP and low-income participants to increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. Participating households report healthier food choices, improved health outcomes, and stronger connections to local food systems. GusNIP has also delivered meaningful economic benefits, increasing revenue for local farmers and food retailers. By fostering collaboration among community organizations, healthcare providers, and food system stakeholders, the NTAE has helped amplify GusNIP’s impact and laid the foundation for evidence-based policy and practice aimed at improving public health and advancing food access.

The award was given at ISBNPA2025, Amy Yaroch (second from the left) received the award on behalf of the GusNIP team.

We are delighted to announce that Professor David Crawford AM, Deakin Distinguished Professor Emeritus, has been awarded the highest honor of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA): the Tom Baranowski Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025.

This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the fields of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. Recipients are selected through a rigorous process, beginning with nominations from the ISBNPA community. The Awards Committee carefully reviews all nominations, and the final selection is ratified by the Executive Committee.

About Professor David Crawford

Professor Crawford is a founding member of ISBNPA, served as ISBNPA President, and has held the position of Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (IJBNPA). He has been recognized as an ISBNPA Fellow for his exceptional service and leadership within the society.

Beyond his contributions to ISBNPA, Professor Crawford co-founded the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), has published over 300 scientific papers, and has mentored dozens of colleagues who are now leaders in behavioral nutrition and physical activity research worldwide. His legacy is reflected not only in his groundbreaking research but also in the thriving global community he has helped to build.

We congratulate Professor Crawford on this well-deserved recognition of his lifetime of achievement and dedication to advancing our field.

Who better to introduce Professor David Crawford than himself?

Please consider attending the #ISBNPA2019 Satellite Meeting, hosted at the Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University Olomouc, to meet them in person. The conference is named Are V4 Living Actively, and the calendar is June 8-10, just after #ISBNPA2019? 

More information on our website (https://w2.isbnpa.org/index.php?r=event/view&id=81)

Department of Family Medicine and Public Health

University of California, San Diego