LAS CRUCES, NM - We announced in November 2023 that Brighter Bites was introducing its 11th location in Phoenix, Arizona. Now, the organization is announcing its 12th location in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with the kickoff of its first program season in the community. Brighter Bites is serving six public schools within Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS), which is directly impacting close to 600 families and providing approximately 20 lbs of fresh produce to participants every other week.
“We aim to improve health outcomes starting with the children and families in under-resourced communities by providing fresh produce and nutrition education,” said Mike Pomeroy, Vice President of Operations at Brighter Bites. “Our ultimate goal is to create behavior change that improves children’s health, especially among populations who are disproportionately vulnerable to developing obesity and diet-related diseases. When successful, we can eliminate health disparities and address health equity.”
According to a press release, Feeding America data shows that around 14 percent of individuals in Dona Ana County within Las Cruces are food insecure. This insecurity correlates with the increased consumption of calorically dense foods, such as fast food, which are either more affordable or the most accessible option in communities with limited grocery stores.
Brighter Bites has also partnered with the Roadrunner Food Bank to help supply the right produce and food for its New Mexico program’s families.
"Brighter Bites has created an opportunity to support families in providing fresh fruits and vegetables for their homes. Every campus has seen a consistent turnout from families which has provided an opportunity to connect with all families in a new way,” said Naomi Chavez Lopez, Community School Manager at LCPS. “Brighter Bites has created an opportunity for schools to remove the stigma of receiving food and has focused on expanding palates for families with familiar and new produce."
The Las Cruces programming has also been made possible through the New Mexico State University’s Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition program. The first distribution in Las Cruces took place in February and continues through May.
To learn more about Brighter Bites, or how to volunteer or partner in Las Cruces, click here. And click here to read the press release in full.
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