NAPLES, FL - Brighter Bites, the nonprofit organization that delivers fresh fruits and vegetables and nutrition education to families through schools, announced a $100,000 investment from the Naples Children Foundation (NCF), founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival (NWWF), to expand access to healthy food and nutrition education for children and families across Collier County.

The investment comes at a critical time. According to Feeding America's newly released Map the Meal Gap 2026 report, nearly 1 in 5 children in Collier County live in food-insecure households, representing a 4% increase over last year's report. The findings underscore the growing challenges many local families face as they work to put healthy food on the table.

With support from NCF, Brighter Bites will partner with nine schools across Collier County during the upcoming school year, reaching nearly 4,500 children with evidence-based nutrition education while providing more than 2,000 families with fresh produce through school-based distributions. NCF's support also expands the program's impact by funding four quarterly community produce distributions open to all Collier County residents, extending access to healthy food beyond participating schools. Together, these efforts will distribute more than 240,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, helping families build healthier eating habits that last beyond the school year.

"Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, and that starts with consistent access to nutritious food," said Dana Rizer, Director of Advancement at Brighter Bites, in the recent release. "The Naples Children Foundation has made an extraordinary impact on Collier County since its inception by helping 420,000 children access the resources they need to thrive, and we're honored to be one of the organizations advancing that mission. Their continued investment in Brighter Bites comes at a critical time and will help thousands of children and families build healthier futures through access to fresh produce and nutrition education."

Brighter Bites partners with schools to make healthy food more accessible where families already gather. In addition to fresh produce distributions, participating families receive nutrition education, recipes, and practical resources designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and encourage long-term healthy habits.

"No child should have to choose between having enough to eat and having healthy food to eat,” said Sarah Zaiser-Kelly, SVP of Grants and Community Impact at NCF. “Through our investment in Brighter Bites, they’re not only helping families access fresh, nutritious produce, but also providing the education and practical skills they need to prepare healthy meals at home. By combining food access with nutrition education, we're empowering families to make informed choices that support lifelong health and well-being.” Brighter Bites' evidence-based approach has demonstrated measurable results. Families participating in the program report increased fruit and vegetable consumption, greater confidence preparing healthy meals, and improved food security. The organization has distributed more than 83 million pounds of fresh produce to families nationwide since its founding while helping children and families develop lifelong healthy eating habits.

As food insecurity continues to rise across Southwest Florida, partnerships like this one ensure more Collier County families have access to the healthy foods and nutrition education they need to thrive.