Keyword/Tag: produce

WINK News Covers Brighter Bites’ Launch in Southwest Florida

Posted on April 26, 2018 by -

Brighter Bites’ official launch in Southwest Florida was covered by WINK News, the CBS Naples, FL affiliate station. Read their coverage below.

Brighter Bites provides free and healthy food to Immokalee families

A new partnership is fighting “food deserts” in parts of Southwest Florida that were hit by Hurricane Irma.

“Food deserts are defined as parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas,” according to the USDA. “This is largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and healthy food providers.”

Immokalee is one area where children don’t always see healthy food on their plates. 99 percent of students in the area qualify for free lunch, according to school officials.

Hurricane Irma ravaged the Immokalee community which was already struggling.

That’s where Brighter Bites comes to the rescue.

“Not only are we getting them food but we’re giving them education and teaching them how to use it,” said Lisa Helfman, founder of Brighter Bites.

Brighter Bites is teaming up with Harry Chapin and Lipman Farms to help families access and learn about free healthy produce.

The free produce saves families about $35 a week.

Sponsors brought the group in from Texas. Helfman says these meals aren’t just a temporary fix. The program is built to form habits and children are eager to get their fruits and veggies each week.

“It’s fun and it’s becoming a part of the fabric of their lives,” said Helfman.”

In fact, 94 percent of families report that they eat all of the produce provided weekly.

The program will expand to more schools and the Boys and Girls Club summer camp.

To register for those camps, you can visit the Boys and Girls Club website.”

Watch WINK’s video coverage here.

We Heart our NYC Partners

Posted on March 23, 2018 by -

Brighter Bites is so lucky to work with amazing partners across the country that help us create communities of health through fresh food. Two of these amazing partners, City Harvest and D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of New York, work hand in hand with our Brighter Bites NYC team to make sure families in the Big Apple have access to produce during Brighter Bites programming.

City Harvest
City Harvest pioneered food rescue in New York City in the early ’80’s, recognizing the second life excess food could serve in filling the plates of New York’s neediest residents. City Harvest has helped Brighter Bites find produce across New York City that would otherwise go to waste. Our teamwork has allowed us to provide approximately 100,000 pounds of produce to New York families since the Brighter Bites NYC launch in 2017.

 

D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of New York
D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of New York is one of the largest wholesale produce suppliers in the New York Metro area. D’Arrigo often finds itself over-supplied with produce, which is where Brighter Bites comes in. Our friends at D’Arrigo work hard to select excess produce items for Brighter Bites families each week, paying special attention to supply produce items our families may never have had access to before. Instead of letting these items going to waste, D’Arrigo helps these produce items nourish our families. In addition to supplying Brighter Bites with incredible produce, D’Arrigo recently gave a generous donation to support Brighter Bites’ efforts to create healthy communities everywhere we go. We are so thankful!

Source: D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of New York, Inc.

 

The Facts Features New Brighter Bites Program in Freeport.

Posted on March 31, 2017 by -

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On Thursday March 30th,  The Facts reporter Erinn Callahan visited O.A. Fleming Elementary School in Freeport to report on the newest Texas chapter of the Brighter Bites program. She experienced first hand the thrill of a produce bagging as volunteers from the school community worked quickly to transform the cafeteria into a well oiled produce-packing assembly line.

Read the full story Here.

Austin Elementary Schools Receive Vibrant and Varied Produce

Posted on October 4, 2016 by -

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Over the past two weeks Brighter Bites schools in Austin have been showered with beautiful produce. We’re so thrilled that our families have the opportunity to taste these delicious fruits and veggies. These photos are just a sampling of the Brighter Bites that go home with the 1,600+ families we serve in Austin. A big thank you goes to FreshPoint San Antonio’s generous growers and Central Texas Food Bank’s Sourcing and Warehouse teams for these incredible donations!

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Celebrating National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month in June

Posted on June 2, 2015 by -

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables month occurs every June and gives Brighter Bites many opportunities to reinforce different ways to add more fruits and veggies to your meals and snacks. Finely diced fresh fruits and vegetables make a great addition to salsas. Yellow summer squash, watermelon, and peaches add an interesting twist to a standard salsa that goes great with whole grain chips, chicken, or fish.  Raw sliced veggies like zucchini, cucumbers, and bell peppers taste delicious in hummus and bean dips. Try adding fresh fruit like strawberries, cantaloupe, and nectarines to smoothies, salads, and yogurt. These simple tips ensure you get the most out of the fresh food you purchase: •  Buy in-season produce to save money and get the best quality. Stop by your local farmer’s market to see what they grow locally. •  Buy small quantities so unused produce won’t spoil. •  Buy whole fruits and vegetables and prepare them yourself. •  Store cut or cooked fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator. •  Rinse all produce before preparing •  Grow your own!  A garden provides an easy way to enjoy fresh produce all summer long. Check out our Fruit Tips and Very Veggie handouts for more great ideas!