Houston-based Brighter Bites has released its 2023 annual report.
Since 2012, Brighter Bites has distributed more than 60 million pounds of fresh produce and millions of nutrition education materials to more than one million individuals, according to a news release.
The document details the partnerships that support its mission, information about the produce distributed and a general review of 2023. It also contains information about plans for 2024.
Key highlights found within the report include, according to the release:
- Over 8 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables were distributed in the 11 cities across the country which Brighter Bites serves: Houston; Dallas; Austin; New York City; the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area; southwest Florida; Salinas, Calif.; Los Angeles; Bakersfield, Calif.; San Antonio; and Phoenix.
- Fresh produce distributed in 2023 increased 12% from 7.1 million pounds in 2022.
- There were 2.73 million total family and classroom encounters where Brighter Bites staff interacted directly with families and students at produce distribution and in the classroom, up 26% from 2.17 million in 2022.
- The organization received 6.8 million pounds of in-kind donations from food banks and produce industry partners in 2023, a 5% increase from 6.45 million in 2022.
- $17.5 million of fresh produce distributed at retail value, based on current USDA data, a 15% increase from $15.2 million in 2022.
- 20,921 nutrition education lessons and activities were taught in classrooms across the country.
“At the heart of our mission is the belief that access to fresh produce and nutrition education are fundamental rights for all individuals and families, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” Brighter Bites founder Lisa Helfman said in the release. “Over the course of the past year, we have been able to make tangible differences in the lives of countless families across the country.”
In 2023, Brighter Bites launched the Produce RX Program as part of its partnership with UTHealth and DoorDash focusing on food as medicine. This initiative laid the groundwork for the commitment to improve food security, diet quality and health outcomes for vulnerable communities as part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities, according to the release.
Brighter Bites also opened programming in San Antonio and Phoenix, marking the nonprofit’s 10th and 11th cities. The group says it also coordinated over 18,630 hours of volunteer work to ensure Brighter Bites families were supplied with food and nutrition education.
“I am so appreciative for the unwavering commitment and support to our mission from all of our donors and partners at every level of our organization,” Brighter Bites CEO Rich Dachman said in the release. “Together, we have made significant strides in addressing health and food insecurity by providing fresh fruits and vegetables along with vital nutrition education to under-resourced families in our communities. This results in creating new consumers for the produce industry and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. In the face of challenges, your support and generosity has been a beacon of hope."