Brighter Bites, a nonprofit organization that provides free fresh produce in underserved communities around the U.S. is changing behavior among children and their families to prevent obesity and achieve long-term health, announced its top donor partners from across the produce industry. Together these eight organizations helped donate produce that Brighter Bites distributed to 27,000 families in Houston, Dallas, Austin, New York City, the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, and southwest Florida during the 2018-19 academic year.
Brighter Bites Top Donor Partners are:
- The Coastal Cos. Foundation
- D’Arrigo Bros. of New York
- Hardie’s Fresh Foods
- Lipman Family Farms
- Mann Packing
- Southern Specialties
- Sysco Freshpoint
- Taylor Farms Texas
Brighter Bites said the organization would not be possible without the remaining produce and logistical support that come from its Feeding America Food Bank partners, which include the Houston Food Bank, North Texas Food Bank, City Harvest, Capital Area Food Bank and Harry Chapin Food Bank.
“Our ability to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to our families is completely dependent on the support of our partners,” said Brighter Bites Chief Executive Officer Rich Dachman. “The generous donations of produce from these partners and other suppliers, alongside our extraordinary partnerships with our food banks, allows us to achieve our mission of improving the health of our society, especially those who have fewer resources. I believe our industry has a responsibility to utilize its produce to fight the childhood obesity epidemic and improve health outcomes. I challenge all in the industry to get involved. Brighter Bites is a great place to start so we can scale our program to reach even more communities in need of fresh food and better health.”
