Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, is excited to announce the launch of a new webpage dedicated to its “Food is Medicine” initiative in partnership with UTHealth Houston. This new page highlights the nonprofit’s transformative work over the past several years, showcasing the powerful connection between healthy food and improved health outcomes. Click to read the full article.
SAN DIEGO, CA (February 18, 2025) – Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, announces merger with +BOX in a bold step toward advancing public health and nutrition.
Brighter Bites and +BOX will leverage its combined resources, expertise, and networks to accelerate its mission of improving health outcomes through increased access to nutritious foods and empowering communities with the knowledge to make healthier choices.
Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, announces the launch of its 12th location in Greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As a press release stated, Brighter Bites will serve six schools within the Bensalem Township School District, which will directly impact close to 900 families and provide approximately 144,000 pounds of fresh produce to its participants. In addition to delivering fresh fruits and vegetables, the program will also include recipe demonstrations and in-class nutrition education lessons, equipping families and students with hands-on strategies to make the most of their produce and support a healthier lifestyle.
Brighter Bites released its annual report. Since 2012, Brighter Bites has distributed more than 60 million pounds of fresh produce and millions of nutrition education materials to more than 1 million individuals.
Readers will get a closer look at Brighter Bites’ financials, the partnerships that make its mission possible, information about the unique produce distributed, and a general look back at 2023. The annual report also contains information about plans for 2024.
LAS CRUCES, NM – We announced in November 2023 that Brighter Bites was introducing its 11th location in Phoenix, Arizona. Now, the organization is announcing its 12th location in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with the kickoff of its first program season in the community. Brighter Bites is serving six public schools within Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS), which is directly impacting close to 600 families and providing approximately 20 lbs of fresh produce to participants every other week.
“We aim to improve health outcomes starting with the children and families in under-resourced communities by providing fresh produce and nutrition education,” said Mike Pomeroy, Vice President of Operations at Brighter Bites. “Our ultimate goal is to create behavior change that improves children’s health, especially among populations who are disproportionately vulnerable to developing obesity and diet-related diseases. When successful, we can eliminate health disparities and address health equity.”
Three commitments to improve food security, diet quality, and health outcomes for vulnerable communities, made by UTHealth Houston in partnership with local and national organizations, have been approved as part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities.
The challenge, which was sent to national organizations by invitation only, is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
“Through these collective efforts, UTHealth Houston and its partners in public health will create pathways to provide produce to millions of people in the United States, including children and high-risk pregnant mothers, with a focus on improving nourishment and nutrition, and eliminating food insecurity and food waste,” said Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, MD, UTHealth Houston president and Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair.
Brighter Bites recently participated in the Harvard Agribusiness Seminar as one of 12 case studies presented. Around 185 executives of food system-related firms from around the world attended to learn more about trends, challenges, demands and opportunities within the current food system.
“We are thankful to Harvard Business School faculty and business leaders who provided invaluable input to strengthen our business model and achieve greater impact,” said Shreela V Sharma, Brighter Bites co-founder.
As a case study participant, Brighter Bites was able to gather insight from various business professionals from around the world to help further its mission. Furthermore, attendees were educated and informed on Brighter Bites’ program and commitment to building communities of health nationwide.
Increased fresh produce access is hitting the Grand Canyon State thanks to an integral industry force. Brighter Bites is once again expanding its impressive program, bolstering its national presence with the launch of its 11th location in Phoenix, Arizona.
On February 19, Brighter Bites Founder Lisa Helfman was honored with the Margaret Kinkaid Alumna of the Year Award at The Kinkaid School Alumnae and Friends Luncheon in Houston, where she was recognized for her achievements and accomplishments throughout her time at Kinkaid and career, including the founding of Brighter Bites. In her inspiring keynote address (watch the video here), Lisa spoke about what it means to live a full life, integrating self care, integrity, and doing the things that bring you joy. We are so proud of our amazing founder!
On Monday, March 18, Brighter Bites Southwest Florida had the pleasure of attending the 2019 Naples Children and Education Foundation Grant Awards Ceremony as one of 43 local nonprofit organizations receiving funding through NCEF this year.
Earlier this month NCEF awarded Brighter Bites grant funding to support school-based programs in the greater Southwest Florida region to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for families in underserved communities.
Brighter Bites Southwest Florida Program Director Marcela Romero with Program Coordinator Rosmery Garcia at the awards ceremony held at the Bay Colony Golf Club