Brighter Bites Launches Produce Voucher Program With H-E-B, Southeastern Grocers, and Winn-Dixie
HOUSTON, TX - The current public health crisis has brought much uncertainty to our lives, but is especially magnified for those who are food insecure. However, in times like these, heroes in the industry are teaming up to provide fresh produce to those in need. Brighter Bites has formed partnerships with H-E-B, Southeastern Grocers, and Winn-Dixie to provide $25 produce vouchers bi-weekly to every Brighter Bites household for fruit and vegetable purchases.
“This is a time that our families need healthy food more than ever to boost their immune systems. When schools closed and our distribution model was interrupted, we knew we had to pivot our business,” said Brighter Bites CEO Rich Dachman. “Brighter Bites will continue providing our families with fruits and vegetables through this program, allowing them to maintain the same level of produce in their homes as they did through Brighter Bites distributions. We could not have executed this program without the partnership of H-E-B, Southeastern Grocers, and Winn-Dixie. We are so grateful for their support.”
According to a press release, Brighter Bites is rolling out the initiative this week for 14,100 families in Houston and Austin, Texas, in partnership with H-E-B. Next week, its partnership with Winn-Dixie and parent company Southeastern Grocers will provide vouchers for 1,100 families in southwest Florida. This initiative will ensure no Brighter Bites family has to forfeit health or safety in order to survive this crisis. Dachman added Brighter Bites will convert its online nutrition education programs to a distance learning model.
Under normal circumstances, Brighter Bites works with families across 100-plus schools in six cities, with each family receiving 25 pounds of fresh, seasonal produce and nutrition education on a weekly basis. Brighter Bites families are actively engaged in the program, and data shows that they were consuming significantly more fresh produce and talking about nutrition more often in their homes, too.
To sustain this program for all Brighter Bites families for the next two to three months, the nonprofit will need to raise additional funding to continue issuing produce vouchers to families until this crisis subsides. To make a donation please visit www.brighterbites.org.
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