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Keyword/Tag: NYC
Produce Business: Q&A with Rich Dachman on Fundraiser, Programming, COVID-19
While Brighter Bites Steps Up With Retail Voucher Program And Participation In USDA’s Farmers-To-Families Food Box Project, Produce Industry Heroes Are Needed To Provide Product, Distribution And Funding
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.
ANUK: Brighter Bites and Queens Together Distribute Produce Care Packages to Thousands of Families in Queens
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.
CNN’s Thank You Thursday Features Brighter Bites NYC
Brighter Bites NYC is SO LUCKY to have Gina Flores on our team!
Gina joined first joined us as one of our most committed and hardworking parent volunteers at Ps 212 in Jackson Heights, Queens. After a few weeks, she officially joined the Brighter Bites family, leading our produce baggings and distributions at schools in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.
Gina has been a critical member of our team for years. It’s no surprise to us that she has risen to the occasion during this pandemic to go above and beyond for our families. Check out this CNN Go There piece highlighting how AWESOME Gina is! Skip to 4:15 to watch Gina receive some much deserved praise!
Patch.com/MSN.COM: New LIC-Based Food Pantry to Feed Thousands of Queens Families
Local Queens reporter Maya Kaufman wrote a wonderful story about Brighter NYC and Queens Together delivery produce to thousands of families in Queens.
“Led by grassroots groups Queens Together and The Connected Chef and the New York City chapter of the nonprofit Brighter Bites, volunteers and paid workers will pack and deliver bags of fresh produce to 2,000 families every Tuesday.” See the rest of the story here.
Brighter Bites COVID-19 Update on Nationwide Efforts
We are all witnessing and living through one of the most challenging times in modern history. Like all of you, Brighter Bites is adapting to the new reality brought on by the coronavirus outbreak.
COVID-19 Update from Brighter Bites
Dear Friends,
We are all witnessing and living through one of the most challenging times in modern history.
Like all of you, Brighter Bites is adapting to the new reality brought on by the coronavirus outbreak.
Our number one priority is the health and well-being of our employees and the families and communities we serve. For that reason, we are following protocols to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Brighter Bites understands that families need fresh, nutrient-rich food to keep them healthy, and we are making every effort to find distribution mechanisms to ensure they receive it.
While the schools we partner with are closed, Brighter Bites is working with community stakeholders to develop alternative opportunities for distributing produce to families in the cities where we operate.
We are also working with our produce partner suppliers to redirect donated produce to our local food banks and working with our supply chain to help continue that process moving forward.When we aren’t able to distribute fresh produce, we are making nutrition education and healthy recipes available to our families electronically to help them make the most of the food they do have while they are at home with their children. You can access healthy recipes here and tips and tools for cooking at home here.
Here are some examples of how Brighter Bites is supporting our communities this week:
Our Southwest Florida team distributed fresh produce to more than 500 families at the Bethel Assembly of God in Immokalee, FL with the help of so many community partners. Harry Chapin Food Bank, Southern Specialties, Freedom Fresh, and B&W Quality Growers collectively donated 12 different produce items. The Blue Zones Project in SWFL donated reusable bags. Collier County Schools and the Benison Center made the event possible.
Staff and volunteers in Austin packed 830 bags of fresh fruits and vegetables for families whose children attend Cook, T.A. Brown, and Harris Elementary Schools in Austin ISD. Thanks to Hardie’s Fresh Food for their incredible support during this challenging time.
At PS 151Q in Woodside, Queens we provided 300+ Brighter Bites families and local community members with 4,586lbs of organic grapes, oranges, and pantry bags pre-packed by our incredible partners at City Harvest.
We are living in a rapidly changing environment and in the coming weeks we’ll be making our best efforts to identify ways to regularly support our families with fresh, healthy foods and nutrition education alongside our local food banks and city partners. Above all else, the health and safety of our employees, families and communities will remain our focus.
Brighter Bites is grateful for the continued support and understanding from our families, partners, donors, supporters, and stakeholders. As uncertain as things are, we know we will get through this by working together.
We wish you and your family good health and safety as we navigate the coming weeks.
Yours sincerely,
The Brighter Bites Team
Avocado Nation!
Explore photos from Brighter Bites programs across the country as we celebrated our Spring 2019 Avocado Week. Holy guacamole, do we have some great snaps!
Special thanks to Avocados From Mexico and Del Monte Fresh!
Go Behind the Scenes with Brighter Bites in NYC
Ever wonder what it takes to operate Brighter Bites in our nation’s most populous city? Hint: Our recipe for success includes amazing partners and a super dedicated team. Learn all about our NYC program here!
Brighter Bites Board of Directors Gathers in NYC
Members of the Brighter Bites board of directors gathered in New York City this past December. The group attended the New York Produce Show & Conference, where Brighter Bites was a beneficiary of all display produce. Board members later participated in a bagging to help send the donated produce home with our families. Check out photos from the trip below:
Families, board members, and Brighter Bites staff gather together for a picture at a Brighter Bites bagging.
Brighter Bites Founder Lisa Helfman introduces Board Members Ben Samuels (left) and Sue Smith (right) to the bagging process.
Co-founder Shreela Sharma (left) poses at the New York Produce Show and Conference with board members Sue Smith (center) and Steven Graubart (right).
The Brighter Bites board of directors came into town to attend The New York Produce Show and Conference.
Board Member Ben Samuels gives Brighter Bites parents a helping hand with bagging some cauliflower.
Board Member Sue Smith (left) and Brighter Bites Cofounder Dr. Shreela Sharma (right) help parents bag red potatoes.