Keyword/Tag: SNAP

Brighter Bites Returns to Washington, D.C. This Week!

Posted on June 20, 2016 by -

Shreela Close Up Headshot

Meetings on Capitol Hill last month resulted in the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture inviting Brighter Bites to testify at a hearing on the Past, Present, and Future of SNAP: Evaluating Effectiveness and Outcomes in Nutrition Education. The hearing, which takes place on Wednesday, June 22 at 10:00am ET, will be the first Hill hearing on SNAP nutrition education in years.

Brighter Bites Co-Founder Dr. Shreela Sharma, a professor of epidemiology at UTHealth School of Public Health, will testify about the creation and development of the Brighter Bites model and the robust research infrastructure she uses to evaluate the program and the families who participate in it.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to see updates from the hearing on Wednesday. You may also watch it live here.

Giving Families a Chance to Help Their Picky Eaters

Posted on February 17, 2016 by -

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Caitlin Daniel’s op-Ed in yesterday’s New York Times, A Hidden Cost to Giving Kids Their Vegetables, suggests a shift in the national conversation about the food kids should be eating today and cites the need for more programs that expose children to nutritious foods. Brighter Bites is highly focused on providing access to free fresh produce and nutrition education to families living in the food deserts of Houston, Dallas, and Austin in three eight-week increments throughout the year. By giving parents the financial freedom to cook nutritious meals for their kids, we give children a decent chance of liking them. Ms. Daniel’s call for more programming to help low-income kids change their tastes is spot on. Expanding the reach of programs like Brighter Bites will expand the palates of our children.

Using SNAP at Farmer’s Markets

Posted on August 5, 2015 by -

Did you know that some farmer’s markets accept SNAP? Now you can spice up your routine by taking the kids on a farmer’s market adventure! It’s a great way for the kiddos to learn directly from the farmers about the fruits and vegetables they love. A scavenger hunt [like the one found here] is sure to spark your kids’ enthusiasm for a normally boring errand. When you involve your kids in the selection process they are more invested in the final outcome: dinner! The produce found at farmer’s markets are usually fresher because local farmers sell what is in season. Ever notice why tomatoes in summer are so much more flavorful than ones bought in December? It’s all about the season. You can use SNAP benefits on other items such as bread, honey, meats, fish, poultry, dairy products, and seeds/plants that produce food too. Below is a list of SNAP friendly farmer’s markets in Houston, Dallas, and Austin HOUSTON:

  1. East End Market, 2600 Navigation Blvd
  2. Get Moving Houston Farmers Market (Magnolia), 7037 Capitol St
  3. Get Moving Houston Farmers Markets (Lyons HC), 5602 Lyons Ave
  4. Get Moving Houston Farmers Markets (Sunnyside), 4605 Wilmington St
  5. Palm Center Farmers Market, 5400 Beekman Rd

DALLAS:

  1. Dallas Farmers Market/Grow North Texas, 1010 S Pearl Expy
  2. Vickery Meadow Local Market, 5803 E Northwest Hwy
  3. White Rock Local Market At Lakeside, 9150 Garland Rd
  4. White Rock Local Market, Inc., 702 N Buckner Blvd

AUSTIN:

  1. Barton Creek Farmer Market , 2901 S Capital of TX Hwy
  2. F2m At Mueller Farmers Market, 4550 Mueller Blvd
  3. Hope Farmers Market, 412 Comal St
  4. Johnson’s Backyard Garden, 9515 Hergotz Lane
  5. SFC Farmers Market 6, 201 W Saint Elmo Rd
  6. SFC Farmers Market 7, 2200 Berkeley Ave
  7. SFC Farmers’ Market 5, 7500 S Pleasant Valley Rd
  8. SFC Farmers’ Market At Sunset Valley, 3200 Jones Rd
  9. Springdale Farm, 755 Springdale Rd
  10. Sustainable Food Center Farmers’ Market East, 2835 E MLK Jr Blvd