This summer Brighter Bites is partnering with a family in Houston to provide free sunscreen and sun care educational materials to families participating at two Brighter Bites locations: Ripley House and KIPP Shine. A huge thank you to The Katz Family and The Talisman Family for their generous donation and for joining Brighter Bites in our commitment to teaching healthy habits early.
Meet my friend Isabela, a 1st grader at KIPP Dream in Houston. She is one of the smartest, funniest, and curious kids I get the pleasure of hanging out with every week.
Every Wednesday at 11:47AM (that is when her class eats lunch), you will find me sitting on the last seat of the cafeteria table talking with her. She always saves me a seat! This week she was super sweaty when we met for lunch so I asked her why. She told me she had been playing football and refereeing the game. She loves football and even watched the Super Bowl this year. I told her I couldn’t even remember who won the game. Isabela was quick to remind me that the Patriots beat the Seahawks. Next, I asked about Isabela about her favorite meal. She loves carrot salad and even helps her mom prepare it! She gave me the recipe: shredded carrots, avocados, tomatoes and onions. Meeting kids like Isabela reminds me of the important role parents play in their kids’ eating habits. Isabela’s mom has exposed her to a great variety of vegetables and fruits and has also invited Isabela into the kitchen to prepare snacks and meals with her The result: a child who loves her fruits and vegetables. So, parents, encourage your kids to try different fruits and vegetables – they just might like them!
As a program coordinator for Brighter Bites in Houston, my favorite part of the job is getting to spend time in the community. I love meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. Brighter Bites gives me the opportunity to do that on a daily basis. When KIPP Legacy Elementary School in Houston joined Brighter Bites in Fall 2013, we were impressed with the level of commitment, organization and excitement the school leadership and volunteers displayed from the beginning. Almost two years later, their enthusiasm remains strong. Every week, between 18-22 KIPP Legacy parents volunteer to help make Brighter Bites happen for their kids. The bagging process is usually filled with jokes, laughter and food (a Brighter Bites formula for success). Almost every week, a parent volunteer will share a recipe and sample with the group. This week a mother shared Guayaba Tea (tea made from guavas). It was the perfect beverage for an unsually cold Houston morning. Last week another parent shared a delicious chocoflan (known in the US as “impossible cake”). It has been a joy for me to work with everyone at KIPP Legacy who has made the Brighter Bites program a huge success. The Brighter Bites team is grateful for everything you do. Keep up the great work!
As a Program Coordinator, and fellow food enthusiast, I’ve built relationships with our families which has inspired me to share Valerie and Sandra’s story. I asked Valerie how she would describe Brighter Bites to someone who has never heard of it before. She said, “Brighter Bites is a program that my school puts on every year so people can get [fruits and] vegetables for free and live a healthy lifestyle.” Valerie totally gets it! The families at KIPP Sharp have put our not-so-secret formula into practice for 2 years now: eating fresh produce, learning about nutrition, and sampling our recipes! Sharing Valerie and Sandra’s story gives us a better understanding of one family’s journey to better health and wellness. Access to fresh produce is the most inspiring and stimulating part of the program, because it promotes an exchange of ideas. When I talk to Sandra, it’s usually about what’s for dinner and it doesn’t matter if it’s butternut squash or making a relish to top off your baked fish. Sandra has a wealth of knowledge about preparing dishes for her family. It’s one of the reason’s she and Valerie were so excited to participate in Brighter Bites again this year; they see it as an opportunity to save money at the store all while having their favorite fresh foods at their fingertips. When they open their Brighter Bites bags, they’re thrilled to see oranges, strawberries, and broccoli! They’re also excited to see unfamiliar items, like rutabaga. Trying new things is part of the fun and Sandra embraces the challenge. And what about the nutrition education component you ask? Well, KIPP Sharp integrated CATCH into not only their P.E. class, but also their food service. Valerie’s teacher shows them the difference between GO, SLOW, and WHOA foods in the cafeteria then gets them moving with activities and games out in the field. CATCH strategically approaches wellness from a multiple angles to improve the students’ overall health. Let’s not forget the fun food samples. Our smoothies are always a big hit with the kids, and Valerie is no different there. Sandra likes the fruit salsas and salads we make, much like the broccoli and grape salad we cooked up this semester. The families are so open, eager, and enthusiastic when it comes to trying our healthful recipes. The stories Valerie and Sandra tell about Brighter Bites illustrate how we affect them and their community. Outsiders looking in gain a better understanding of what it means to be a Brighter Bites family too. Their stories promote our mission and support the program. More stories to come…
We are excited to see old faces and make new friends this school year. Believe it or not, but we’ve expanded to 20 Houston locations! We’ve added more KIPPs, HISD, PISD, YMCAs, and Head Starts. Our team has grown as well! We’ve brought on fresh faces to spread our passion for healthy eating. Be on the lookout for new recipes, nutrition tips, and fun photos here on our website, Facebook page, and Twitter. Most importantly, we want to hear from you, too! So be sure to share your family recipes and stories. Brighter Bites is ready to kick off another successful year. We hope you’re ready to join us!