Brighter Bites will continue to provide free produce to Houston-area schools, no matter what the re-opening scenario may be. Read more about our flexible distribution plans and our upcoming Google platform app in Outsmart Magazine.
Brighter Bites in Houston has been working six days per week with partners Houston Food Bank and YMCA of Greater Houston to provide fresh, immune-boosting produce to the communities in Houston that have needed it most during these recent challenging times.
According to Senior Program Director Mike Pomeroy,”In April alone we distributed nearly 1.3 million pounds of produce to approximately 60,000 families across the Greater Houston area thanks in large part to the produce supplied by the Houston Food Bank and the YMCA employees who helped us assemble produce bags and distribute them to members of the community. This has been an incredible effort by staff members of all our organizations.”
To see the distribution schedule for the remainder of May, click here.
Brighter Bites, Houston Food Bank, and YMCA sent a press release to the media before these numbers were known. The media covered the story in a variety of local Houston outlets:
Brighter Bites, along with Queens Together, The Connected Chef and City Harvest, have launched an emergency initiative aimed to ensure that current Brighter Bites’ Queens-area families continue to receive the produce they were receiving before COVID-19 impacted its community. This program includes door delivery service, which fills the communities’ needs without putting families at risk and disrupting their everyday routines.
This program made quite the splash in the local NYC media. The following organizations covered the story – hyperlinks embedded where available:
Distributions began on April 28 and will continue weekly as long as necessary. City Harvest has pledged 40,000 pounds of produce for distribution to families, including those in Jackson Heights, Woodside, Astoria, and East Elmhurst. All of these Queens neighborhoods have been especially hard hit during the pandemic.
“Brighter Bites NYC is incredibly proud to partner with these local New York organizations to distribute nutritious food to families suffering during this time,” said Melanie Button, Regional Program Director, Brighter Bites. “As an organization, we were adamant that school closures would not stop us from continuing to feed families but we knew that we would need to shift our model. We were impressed with what Queens Together was accomplishing and we reached out to see if they could support. They turned out to be the perfect partner to connect us with the right people and places to get this work done. That initial email sparked an incredible partnership and an amazing, community based, ground operation. Our work has been described as “grassroots but gargantuan” and we couldn’t agree more.”
Prior to the partnership, The Connected Chef served others in need in the community through their LifeLine delivery program. Their expertise in running the LifeLine program made them the perfect choice to execute a produce delivery program of this scale. The program will serve the 2,000 families who are enrolled in the Brighter Bites program at six schools in Queens. The program also aims to support the local economy, by re-employing chefs and cooks who have lost viable sources of food due to shortened hours and job losses to pack and deliver the produce.
Brighter Bites is a nonprofit with the mission of creating communities of health through fresh food. Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, the organization served over 25,000 families nationwide enrolled in the program across 100 schools, with each family receiving 25 lbs. of fresh produce and nutrition education on a weekly basis. Then COVID-19 hit, schools shuttered, and families lost access to this fresh produce they were dependent on for daily nourishment.
“Queens Together is so pleased to be a part of this initiative,” said Jonathan Forgash of Queens Together. “We look forward to continuing this program and finding new ways to identify, package, and deliver nutritious food to those in desperate need across Queens.
By Mira Slott, Pundit Investigator and Special Projects Editor, Perishable Pundit, Produce Business, May 14, 2020
It has been a long time since our first mention of Rich Dachman in the Pundit:
Dachman To Head Sysco’s Produce Division
But we’ve remained engaged:
2018 London Produce Show’s Thought-Leader Breakfast Features All-Star Cast Of Industry Luminaries
Foodservice Forum At New York Produce Show Puts Produce First On Restaurant Menus
Industry Veterans And Rising Stars Volunteer To Lead University Interchange Mentorship Program
Now, at this moment of pandemic, a lifetime of preparation has put Rich in a situation where he can do a lot of good for the world.
We asked Pundit Investigator and Special Projects Editor Mira Slott to find out how.
Read the rest of the story here.
Within 24 hours of creating her Yardpeeps Instagram account, Robyn Goldstein says 100 orders flooded in.
Watch the KHOU News story here.
Brandi Smith, May 14, 2020
HOUSTON — As Texas opens up bit by bit, things are returning to normal for those who were able to stay home. But essential workers didn’t have that privilege. One Houston mom got creative to thank them.
Robyn Goldstein is an attorney and mom who happens to have studied graphic design in undergrad.
“I’ve always been a doodler,” she says.
In early May, she tapped into that skill and came up with a couple sketches of essential workers.
“When I was a camp counselor, I used to draw people like that for different awards for camp,” says Goldstein.
While on a run, she got another idea.
“I see all these yard signs,” Goldstein says. “I said to my husband, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if we turned it into a yard sign?’”
The answer from social media was a resounding “YES!” Within 24 hours of creating her Yardpeeps Instagram account, 100 orders flooded in.
“Now eight days later, we have more than 1,000 orders and we’re shipping to 29 states,” says Goldstein. “It’s pretty crazy.”
It’s really not when you consider how much people want to celebrate the essential workers in their lives: the doctors, firefighters, store employees, delivery workers, nurses, law enforcement officers and sanitation crews. The Yardpeeps signs offered a cute and fun way to recognize and thank all our peeps.
Even better, the proceeds go to Brighter Bites, a Houston nonprofit that gets fresh produce to families in need.
A whopping eight days in, Goldstein’s excited to be able to draw her own path forward with this project.
“I’d like to see if we can spread more happiness. I don’t know, we’ll see!” she says.
You can order a Yardpeeps sign here.
DALLAS, Texas (May 14, 2020) – DiMare Fresh, BB #:101247 a value-added distribution company specializing in produce and floral, has been selected to partner with USDA “Farmers to Families Food Box” program.
Being one of the few vertically integrated growers, DiMare Fresh will supply product through their distribution facilities in Texas to service nonprofit entities throughout the Southwest. The company will begin deliveries on Friday, May 15th as outlined by the USDA (the contract was for $24,363,660).
DiMare Fresh will utilize the USDA funds in their Texas operations in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston which have been impacted with the loss of foodservice business. The direct store delivery model in both locations will be a seamless transition from distribution direct to restaurants to eligible nonprofits.
“We are honored to be a part of the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program to fully utilize our southwest distribution centers to help families in need,” said Tony DiMare, an owner of family-owned and operated DiMare Fresh. “Aside from helping those in need of fresh food in the communities we serve, we’re also able to help other growers move their surplus of fresh U.S. produce.”
DiMare Fresh has long standing relationships with local and regional food banks and other nonprofits, such as the Houston Food Bank, North Texas Food Bank, Community Table and Brighter Bites. This funding will allow for DiMare Fresh to expand to other hunger relief organizations and operations working to provide those in need with fresh food.
“This partnership with DiMare Fresh will ensure Brighter Bites families in Houston and Austin continue to receive fresh, immune-boosting produce at a time when they need it most,” said Brighter Bites Director of Sourcing Jennifer Boone. “The program will allow us to expand our reach in those cities by more than 30%, and we’re grateful to DiMare for trusting Brighter Bites to distribute their product with the greatest care and consideration.”
As part of this program, the USDA will exercise authority under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to purchase and distribute up to $3 billion in agricultural products to those in need. With this, the USDA has partnered with regional and local distributors whose workforce has been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase fresh produce, dairy, and meat.
For additional information and company updates, please visit www.dimarefresh.com.
About DiMare Fresh
DiMare Fresh is a provider of value-added distribution services in the form of repacking, ripening, consolidation and delivery of refrigerated food, specializing in produce and floral. We are proud of the DiMare name and reputation of integrity that was originally built as a tomato grower and repacker and is now expanded through our service and distribution network.
This article was also published in Perishable News and Produce News.
Dana & Jay In the Morning on 99.1 FM in Houston is talking about the YardPeeps signs that Robyn Rosen Goldstein made to honor frontline and essential workers. Proceed from the signs are going to Brighter Bites. Check out the story here!
The produce trade magazine And Now U Know wrote a great story about our work in NYC with Queens Together. Check out the piece here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brighter Bites Announces Wine for a Cause, an Auction to Raise Funds to Ensure Families Receive Fresh Produce During COVID-19 Crisis
PMA to Co-Host Online Wine Auction to Take Place Memorial Day Weekend
Newark, Del. – (May 5, 2020) – Brighter Bites is actively raising funds to ensure families are able to access healthy, nutritious food during this time of unprecedented need. To kick off this campaign, Brighter Bites will host Wine for a Cause, a virtual wine silent auction, taking place Memorial Day weekend, May 22 – 25, 2020. The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has signed on as co-host of the event in support of these efforts.
Proceeds from this event will support Brighter Bites’ new emergency initiative aimed at ensuring that families who are currently enrolled in Brighter Bites have the opportunity to access fresh produce when they need it most. Brighter Bites is giving $25 produce vouchers bi-weekly to Brighter Bites households for fruit and vegetable purchases over the next two-three months. This initiative will ensure no Brighter Bites family has to forfeit health or safety in order to survive this crisis.
Brighter Bites kicked off the program in Houston and Austin in partnership with the Texas grocery retailer H-E-B, and soon followed with rollouts in Southwest Florida in partnership with Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Winn-Dixie stores.
With a goal of raising $150,000 between auction proceeds and financial contributions, Wine for a Cause will help ensure that Brighter Bites can support and expand this voucher system in its other cities in the coming months. For those interested in participating in the auction as a bidder, registration is now open. Please visit this link to register for the event.
“Brighter Bites’ Wine for a Cause began as an idea that Kent Shoemaker and I developed because of our mutual love for wine and our one common goal: to help at-risk families access the healthy food they need to survive this crisis.” said Rich Dachman, CEO of Brighter Bites. “What began with a few bottles of wine offered from personal collections has exploded. There are some amazing wines on this list now. I think this event will be a lot of fun, and I think we all need that right now.”
Brighter Bites has already received over 100 different lots of wine from some of the finest collections in the world, mostly owned by produce industry leaders whose passion for wine and improving the health of food-insecure families have come together for this fundraiser.
Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, 25,000 families nationwide were enrolled in the Brighter Bites program across 100 schools, with each family receiving 25 pounds of fresh produce and nutrition education on a weekly basis. Then COVID-19 hit, schools shuttered, and families lost access to this fresh produce they were dependent on for daily nourishment.
“As districts closed in response to the COVID-19 crisis, many children across the U.S. lost access to their primary source of nutrition, while others lost this plus the Brighter Bites fruit and vegetable distribution. At a time when many are hurting and hungry, we need to do whatever we can to ensure families and communities have fresh fruits and vegetables on their plates,” said PMA CEO Cathy Burns.
About Brighter Bites:
Brighter Bites is a nonprofit that creates communities of health through fresh food with the goal of changing behavior among children and their families to prevent obesity and achieve long-term health. Brighter Bites is an evidence-based, multi-component elementary school, preschool, and summer camp program that utilizes reliable access to fruits and vegetables, nutrition education, and consistent exposure to recipes and messages that feature fresh food. Since 2012, Brighter Bites has provided more than 27 million pounds of produce and millions of nutrition education materials to more than 275,000 individuals (including teachers) in Houston, Dallas, Austin, New York City, the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, and Southwest Florida. To learn more about Brighter Bites visit www.brighterbites.org.
About the Produce Marketing Association:
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) is the leading trade association representing companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing connections that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption. For more information, visit www.pma.com.
This story was published in the following media outlets:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brighter Bites and Queens Together Distribute Produce Care Packages to Thousands of Families in Need during COVID-19 Crisis
The Connected Chef and City Harvest join the effort to help Queens, NY communities
Houston, TX (May 5, 2020) – Brighter Bites, along with Queens Together, The Connected Chef and City Harvest, have launched an emergency initiative aimed to ensure that current Brighter Bites’ Queens-area families continue to receive the produce they were receiving before COVID-19 impacted its community. This program includes door delivery service, which fills the communities’ needs without putting families at risk and disrupting their everyday routines.
Distributions began on April 28 and will continue weekly as long as necessary. City Harvest has pledged 40,000 pounds of produce for distribution to families, including those in Jackson Heights, Woodside, Astoria, and East Elmhurst. All of these Queens neighborhoods have been especially hard hit during the pandemic.
“Brighter Bites NYC is incredibly proud to partner with these local New York organizations to distribute nutritious food to families suffering during this time,” said Melanie Button, Regional Program Director, Brighter Bites. “As an organization, we were adamant that school closures would not stop us from continuing to feed families but we knew that we would need to shift our model. We were impressed with what Queens Together was accomplishing and we reached out to see if they could support. They turned out to be the perfect partner to connect us with the right people and places to get this work done. That initial email sparked an incredible partnership and an amazing, community based, ground operation. Our work has been described as “grassroots but gargantuan” and we couldn’t agree more.”
Prior to the partnership, The Connected Chef served others in need in the community through their LifeLine delivery program. Their expertise in running the LifeLine program made them the perfect choice to execute a produce delivery program of this scale. The program will serve the 2,000 families who are enrolled in the Brighter Bites program at six schools in Queens. The program also aims to support the local economy, by re-employing chefs and cooks who have lost viable sources of food due to shortened hours and job losses to pack and deliver the produce.
Brighter Bites is a nonprofit with the mission of creating communities of health through fresh food. Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, the organization served over 25,000 families nationwide enrolled in the program across 100 schools, with each family receiving 25 lbs. of fresh produce and nutrition education on a weekly basis. Then COVID-19 hit, schools shuttered, and families lost access to this fresh produce they were dependent on for daily nourishment.
“Queens Together is so pleased to be a part of this initiative,” said Jonathan Forgash of Queens Together. “We look forward to continuing this program and finding new ways to identify, package, and deliver nutritious food to those in desperate need across Queens.
About Brighter Bites:
Brighter Bites is a nonprofit that creates communities of health through fresh food with the goal of changing behavior among children and their families to prevent obesity and achieve long-term health. Brighter Bites is an evidence-based, multi-component elementary school, preschool, and summer camp program that utilizes reliable access to fruits and vegetables, nutrition education, and consistent exposure to recipes and messages that feature fresh food. Since 2012, Brighter Bites has provided more than 27 million pounds of produce and millions of nutrition education materials to more than 275,000 individuals (including teachers) in Houston, Dallas, Austin, New York City, the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, and Southwest Florida. To learn more about Brighter Bites visit www.brighterbites.org.
About Queens Together:
Queens Together is reimagining our local food industry as the catalyst for nourishing our communities in crisis. We create, implement and manage novel “Last mile” systems that address unprecedented hunger and harm to local economies. We do this by using our roots in the food business and history of community activism to see issues on the ground and activate solutions. The initiative was formed in early March by chef activist Jonathan Forgash and Sunnyside Business Improvement District executive director Jaime-Faye Bean. In its first six weeks, they have delivered over 20,000 meals to hospital workers, military medical personnel, and people facing food insecurity across Queens. To learn more about Queens Together visit https://queenstogether.org.
This story was published in the following publications: